NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Huntsville, Alabama
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Huntsville.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$46/hr
Huntsville, AL
Total Weekly Package
$3,064
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,529
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Huntsville
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 91.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Alabama NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,846
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$95,983
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Huntsville
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Huntsville's GSA rates and cost of living index of 91.5.
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 — Huntsville
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Huntsville. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
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 NICU Travel Nurses in Alabama
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Alabama Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Huntsville
- Huntsville Hospital
- Crestwood Medical Center
- Madison Hospital
Other Specialties in Huntsville
ICU
~$47/hr
Very HighER
~$46/hr
Very HighOR
~$48/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$44/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$41/hr
Very HighPACU
~$45/hr
HighPICU
~$47/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$42/hr
ModerateOncology
~$44/hr
HighOther Alabama Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Auburn
~$41/hr NICU
COL: 95
Decatur
~$41/hr NICU
COL: 95
Dothan
~$41/hr NICU
COL: 95
Mobile
~$45/hr NICU
COL: 85.2
Tuscaloosa
~$41/hr NICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Huntsville?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Huntsville earn approximately $46/hr in taxable wages ($1,846/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,064. Annual potential is $95,983 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Huntsville?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Huntsville are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Huntsville affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Huntsville is 91.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Alabama assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Alabama specifically: Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Huntsville without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Huntsville hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Huntsville that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Huntsville Hospital, Crestwood Medical Center, Madison Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Huntsville.
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