Intensive Care Unit Travel Nurse Pay & Jobs
ICU travel nurses care for critically ill patients in intensive care units, requiring advanced skills in life support, monitoring, and critical thinking.
Calculate Your Intensive Care Unit Travel Nurse Pay
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse, including cost of living analysis.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$58.89
Based on 36 hours in CA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,120
Taxable Weekly Income
$720
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$173
True Net Weekly Pay
$1,947
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$25,314
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$50,627
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$101,254
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Cost of Living Analysis in California
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. California's cost of living is higher than the national average by 51.7 points.
💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.
Housing Cost: Very High
Utilities: High
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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Average Hourly Rate
$55/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$2,200
Average Annual Pay
$114,400
Requirements for Intensive Care Unit Travel Nurses
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Note: Requirements may vary by facility and state. Always verify specific requirements with your travel nurse agency.
Top Cities for Intensive Care Unit Travel Nurses
Huntsville, AL
Avg Pay: $47/hr
Rent: $1,000/mo
Mobile, AL
Avg Pay: $46/hr
Rent: $900/mo
Chandler, AZ
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Rent: $1,300/mo
Glendale, AZ
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Rent: $1,200/mo
Mesa, AZ
Avg Pay: $50/hr
Rent: $1,300/mo
Phoenix, AZ
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Rent: $1,400/mo
Scottsdale, AZ
Avg Pay: $53/hr
Rent: $1,700/mo
Tucson, AZ
Avg Pay: $49/hr
Rent: $1,100/mo
Anaheim, CA
Avg Pay: $58/hr
Rent: $2,100/mo
Fresno, CA
Avg Pay: $54/hr
Rent: $1,300/mo
View all city pay guides to compare pay and cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Intensive Care Unit travel nurses make?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses typically earn between $50 and $65 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $55/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate typically ranges from $94-105 per hour.
What are the requirements for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses?
Requirements for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses typically include: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Requirements may vary by facility and state.
What is the demand for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses?
The demand for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses is very high. This specialty offers excellent job opportunities and competitive pay rates.
Which states pay the most for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses?
California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon typically offer the highest pay rates for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses. However, consider cost of living when evaluating total compensation. Use our [state comparison tool](/compare-states/) to compare pay across different states.