PICU Arizona High Demand

PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Arizona

Calculate your take-home pay as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Arizona. PICU travel nurses care for critically ill children, requiring specialized pediatric critical care skills.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$53/hr

PICU in AZ

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,112

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$109,824

Working full-time

#17

Arizona PICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurse compensation

Arizona offers moderate PICU travel nurse compensation at $53/hr (ranked #17 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. Demand is steady for this specialty.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,211

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,651

(After 26.5% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$822/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $11/hr more than Arizona. Compare →

Calculate Your PICU Pay in Arizona

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Arizona. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Arizona ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate26.5%
Federal: 24%
State: 2.5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 2.5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$78.53

Based on 36 hours in AZ.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,827

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$458

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,369

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$30,798

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$61,596

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$123,192

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,369

per week

Taxes

$458

per week

Total Gross: $2,827 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Arizona

$1,200

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,770

Your stipend covers rent with $1,770 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,200/month in Phoenix:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Arizona

Monthly Net Income:$10,258
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$9,058

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:97.2

National average = 100. Arizona's cost of living is lower than the national average by 2.8 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Arizona

PICU travel nurses in Arizona receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$98/night

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,134

Requirements for PICU Travel Nurses in Arizona

PICU Certifications

  • BLS
  • PALS
  • 2+ years PICU experience

Arizona Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $300
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Arizona

Tax Information

State Income Tax 2.5%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 97.2
vs National Avg 2.799999999999997% lower
Housing Moderate

Top Hospitals Hiring PICU Nurses in Arizona

  • Mayo Clinic Hospital
  • Banner Health
  • HonorHealth

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PICU travel nurses make in Arizona?

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Arizona typically earn between $48 and $65 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $53/hr. This translates to approximately $2,112 per week or $109,824 annually. PICU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a PICU travel nurse in Arizona?

To work as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Arizona, you typically need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. Arizona is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for PICU travel nurses in Arizona?

The GSA per diem rates for Arizona are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. PICU travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Arizona a good state for PICU travel nurses?

Arizona is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. PICU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 97.2 (below national average).

Which cities in Arizona have the best PICU travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Arizona include: Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale. Major hospitals like Mayo Clinic Hospital and Banner Health frequently hire PICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.