PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Auburn, Alabama
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Auburn.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$42/hr
Auburn, AL
Total Weekly Package
$2,814
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,327
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Auburn
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Alabama PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,680
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$87,360
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Auburn
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Auburn's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in AL.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$438
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,173
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,243
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,486
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$112,971
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,173
per week
Taxes
$438
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Alabama
$900
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,070
Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.
Find apartments under $900/month in Birmingham:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Alabama
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Alabama's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.9 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Auburn
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Auburn. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for PICU Travel Nurses in Alabama
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Alabama Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Auburn
- Auburn Regional Medical
- Auburn General Hospital
- Community Health Auburn
Other Specialties in Auburn
ICU
~$42/hr
Very HighER
~$41/hr
Very HighOR
~$43/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$40/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$37/hr
Very HighPACU
~$40/hr
HighNICU
~$41/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$37/hr
ModerateOncology
~$39/hr
HighOther Alabama Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Decatur
~$42/hr PICU
COL: 95
Dothan
~$42/hr PICU
COL: 95
Huntsville
~$47/hr PICU
COL: 91.5
Mobile
~$46/hr PICU
COL: 85.2
Tuscaloosa
~$42/hr PICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Auburn?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Auburn earn approximately $42/hr in taxable wages ($1,680/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,814. Annual potential is $87,360 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Auburn?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Auburn are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Auburn affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Auburn is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Alabama assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Alabama specifically: Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Auburn without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Auburn hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Auburn that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Auburn Regional Medical, Auburn General Hospital, Community Health Auburn. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Auburn.
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