Average ICU Travel Nurse Salary | Pay Rates 2026
ICU travel nurses earn $2,500-$4,500 per week. See pay rates by state, experience level, and calculate your ICU travel nurse compensation.
Calculate Your ICU Travel Nurse Pay
Use our calculator below to estimate your ICU travel nurse compensation. Enter your hourly rate, stipends, and assignment location to see your take-home pay.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Federal tax applies to wages after the $16,100 standard deduction; FICA applies to all wages. Tax-free stipends are excluded from both.
Same-state assignment — you file one resident return in your home state.
State income tax not included
We do not yet have a sourced bracket schedule for this state, so we are not estimating its income tax. A wrong state figure is worse than none. Federal and FICA figures above are complete and sourced; your true net pay will be lower than gross by more than the amounts shown, so we are not displaying a net figure for this state.
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
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True Net Weekly Pay
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
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Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
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Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
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Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
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per week
Taxes
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per week
Total Gross: $2,120 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,000
≈ $4,330/month
Est. 1BR Rent in California
$2,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,030
Your stipend covers rent with $2,030 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,300/month in San Francisco:
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Top Paying States for ICU Travel Nurses
| State | Weekly Pay | Hourly Rate | Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $4,200/week | $65/hr | $218,400 |
| New York | $4,000/week | $62/hr | $208,000 |
| Massachusetts | $3,900/week | $60/hr | $202,800 |
| Washington | $3,800/week | $58/hr | $197,600 |
| Oregon | $3,700/week | $57/hr | $192,400 |
Factors Affecting ICU Travel Nurse Salary
- • Location: States with higher cost of living pay more
- • Facility Type: Teaching hospitals and Level 1 trauma centers pay premium rates
- • Experience: 2+ years ICU experience commands higher rates
- • Certifications: CCRN, ACLS, BLS certifications increase pay
- • Shift Differential: Nights and weekends pay 10-20% more
- • Demand: High-demand areas offer crisis rates and bonuses
ICU vs. Other Specialties
ICU travel nurses typically earn 10-20% more than med-surg nurses due to specialized skills and high demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average ICU travel nurse salary?
The average ICU travel nurse salary ranges from $2,500-$4,500 per week, with an average of approximately $3,500/week. This includes taxable wages plus tax-free stipends for housing and meals. Annual compensation typically ranges from $130,000-$234,000.
Which states pay the most for ICU travel nurses?
California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon typically offer the highest ICU travel nurse salaries, ranging from $3,700-$4,200 per week. These states have higher costs of living and greater demand for critical care nurses.
How much do ICU travel nurses make per hour?
ICU travel nurses typically earn $50-$70 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of around $55/hour. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $70-$90 per hour, depending on location and experience.
What factors affect ICU travel nurse salary?
ICU travel nurse salary is affected by location (state and city), facility type (teaching hospitals pay more), experience level, certifications (CCRN, ACLS), shift differentials (nights/weekends), and demand for critical care nurses in the area.
Do ICU travel nurses make more than other specialties?
Yes, ICU travel nurses typically earn 10-20% more than general med-surg travel nurses due to the specialized skills, certifications required, and high demand for critical care. ICU nurses often earn $500-$1,000 more per week than med-surg nurses.
How does ICU travel nurse salary compare to staff ICU nurses?
ICU travel nurses typically earn 30-50% more than staff ICU nurses. While staff ICU nurses might earn $35-$50/hour, travel ICU nurses earn $50-$70/hour plus tax-free stipends, resulting in significantly higher total compensation.