NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Scottsdale, Arizona
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Scottsdale.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$52/hr
Scottsdale, AZ
Total Weekly Package
$3,614
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,063
After ~26.5% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Scottsdale
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,547/mo
$150/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,700/mo
COL index: 125.3
Monthly Margin
+2,847/mo
Stipend covers rent
Arizona NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,081
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,533
Annual Potential
$108,236
Tax estimate: 2.5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Scottsdale
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Scottsdale's GSA rates and cost of living index of 125.3.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 2.5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$78.53
Based on 36 hours in AZ.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,827
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$458
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,369
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$30,798
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$61,596
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$123,192
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,369
per week
Taxes
$458
per week
Total Gross: $2,827 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Arizona
$1,200
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,770
Your stipend covers rent with $1,770 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,200/month in Phoenix:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Arizona
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Arizona's cost of living is lower than the national average by 2.8 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
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 — Scottsdale
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Scottsdale. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$150/night
$1,050/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,533
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 Arizona
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Arizona Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Scottsdale
- HonorHealth
- Mayo Clinic
- Scottsdale Healthcare
Other Specialties in Scottsdale
ICU
~$53/hr
Very HighER
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$54/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$46/hr
Very HighPACU
~$51/hr
HighPICU
~$53/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$47/hr
ModerateOncology
~$49/hr
HighOther Arizona Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Chandler
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 108.5
Glendale
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 105.2
Mesa
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 103.1
Phoenix
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 108.1
Tucson
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 95.5
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Scottsdale?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Scottsdale earn approximately $52/hr in taxable wages ($2,081/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,533/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,614. Annual potential is $108,236 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Scottsdale?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Scottsdale are: Lodging $150/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,533. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Scottsdale affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Scottsdale is 125.3 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,700/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,547/month, leaving a surplus of $2,847/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Arizona assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Arizona specifically: Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Scottsdale without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Scottsdale hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Scottsdale that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Healthcare. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Scottsdale.
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