Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Mobile, AL High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Mobile, Alabama

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Mobile.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (NICU)

$45/hr

Mobile, AL

Total Weekly Package

$3,025

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,501

After ~29% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: NICU in Mobile

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,334/mo

$110/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$900/mo

COL index: 85.2

Monthly Margin

+2,434/mo

Stipend covers rent

#36

Alabama NICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,807

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,218

Annual Potential

$93,940

Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Mobile

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Mobile's GSA rates and cost of living index of 85.2.

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 Alabama ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 5%

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

Loading chart...

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

Monthly Net Income:$9,407
Average 1BR Rent:$900
True Discretionary Income:$8,507

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

Cost of Living Index:88.1

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 — Mobile

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Mobile. 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

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5%

Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Mobile

  • USA Health
  • Mobile Infirmary
  • Springhill Medical

Other Specialties in Mobile

View full Mobile pay guide →

Other Alabama Cities for NICU Travel Nurses

View all Alabama cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Mobile?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Mobile earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,807/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,025. Annual potential is $93,940 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Mobile?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Mobile 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 Mobile affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Mobile is 85.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $900/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,434/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 Mobile without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Mobile hire NICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Mobile that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: USA Health, Mobile Infirmary, Springhill Medical. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Mobile.

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Resources for Mobile