ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Tucson, Arizona
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Tucson.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$49/hr
Tucson, AZ
Total Weekly Package
$3,437
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,918
After ~26.5% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Tucson
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 95.5
Monthly Margin
+3,204/mo
Stipend covers rent
Arizona ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,960
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$101,920
Tax estimate: 2.5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Tucson
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Tucson's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.5.
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 — Tucson
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Tucson. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$142/night
$994/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,477
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 ICU Travel Nurses in Arizona
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Arizona Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Tucson
- Banner University Medical Center
- Tucson Medical Center
- Northwest Medical Center
Other Specialties in Tucson
ER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Arizona Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Chandler
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 108.5
Glendale
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 105.2
Mesa
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 103.1
Phoenix
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 108.1
Scottsdale
~$53/hr ICU
COL: 125.3
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Tucson?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Tucson earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,960/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,437. Annual potential is $101,920 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Tucson?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Tucson are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Tucson affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Tucson is 95.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Arizona assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Arizona specifically: Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Tucson without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Tucson hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Tucson that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Banner University Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Tucson actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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