PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Jonesboro, Arkansas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Jonesboro.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$40/hr
Jonesboro, AR
Total Weekly Package
$2,734
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,256
After ~29.9% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Jonesboro
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
Arkansas PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,600
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$83,200
Tax estimate: 5.9% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Jonesboro
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Jonesboro'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 5.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in AR.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$431
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,108
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,410
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$54,819
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$109,639
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,108
per week
Taxes
$431
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Arkansas
$800
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,170
Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.
Find apartments under $800/month in Little Rock:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Arkansas
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Arkansas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 13.5 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 — Jonesboro
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Jonesboro. 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 Arkansas
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Arkansas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Jonesboro
- Jonesboro Regional Medical
- Jonesboro General Hospital
- Community Health Jonesboro
Other Specialties in Jonesboro
ICU
~$40/hr
Very HighER
~$39/hr
Very HighOR
~$41/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$38/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$35/hr
Very HighPACU
~$39/hr
HighNICU
~$39/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$36/hr
ModerateOncology
~$37/hr
HighOther Arkansas Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
View all Arkansas cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Jonesboro?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Jonesboro earn approximately $40/hr in taxable wages ($1,600/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,734. Annual potential is $83,200 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Jonesboro?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Jonesboro 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 Arkansas assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Arkansas specifically: Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Jonesboro without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Jonesboro hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Jonesboro that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Jonesboro Regional Medical, Jonesboro General Hospital, Community Health Jonesboro. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Jonesboro.
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