ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Colorado Springs, Colorado
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Colorado Springs.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$51/hr
Colorado Springs, CO
Total Weekly Package
$3,517
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,938
After ~28.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Colorado Springs
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,200/mo
COL index: 98.2
Monthly Margin
+3,104/mo
Stipend covers rent
Colorado ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,040
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$106,080
Tax estimate: 4.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Colorado Springs
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Colorado Springs's GSA rates and cost of living index of 98.2.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$85.78
Based on 36 hours in CO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,088
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,800
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$511
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,577
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$33,498
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$66,997
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$133,994
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,577
per week
Taxes
$511
per week
Total Gross: $3,088 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Colorado
$1,400
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,237
Your stipend covers rent with $2,237 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,400/month in Denver:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
Cost of Living Analysis in Colorado
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Colorado's cost of living is higher than the national average by 5.1 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: Moderate
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Colorado Springs
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Colorado Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Colorado Springs
- UCHealth Memorial
- Penrose Hospital
- Centura Health
Other Specialties in Colorado Springs
ER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Colorado Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Aurora
~$54/hr ICU
COL: 115.5
Denver
~$54/hr ICU
COL: 128.7
Durango
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 108.5
Fort Collins
~$53/hr ICU
COL: 108.5
Grand Junction
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 95.5
Greeley
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Colorado Springs?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Colorado Springs earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,040/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,517. Annual potential is $106,080 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Colorado Springs?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Colorado Springs is 98.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,200/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,104/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Colorado assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Colorado specifically: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Colorado Springs without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Colorado Springs hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Colorado Springs that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UCHealth Memorial, Penrose Hospital, Centura Health. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Colorado Springs actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.