PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Tucson, Arizona
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric 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 (PICU)
$49/hr
Tucson, AZ
Total Weekly Package
$3,437
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,918
After ~26.5% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU 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 PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU 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 PICU 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 PICU 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Arizona
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Arizona Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Tucson
- Banner University Medical Center
- Tucson Medical Center
- Northwest Medical Center
Other Specialties in Tucson
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Arizona Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Chandler
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 108.5
Glendale
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 105.2
Mesa
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 103.1
Phoenix
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 108.1
Scottsdale
~$53/hr PICU
COL: 125.3
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Tucson?
Pediatric 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 PICU travel nurses need for Arizona assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. 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 PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Tucson that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Banner University Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Tucson.
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