PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Denver, Colorado
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Denver.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$54/hr
Denver, CO
Total Weekly Package
$3,924
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,311
After ~28.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Denver
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$5,547/mo
$183/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,700/mo
COL index: 128.7
Monthly Margin
+3,847/mo
Stipend covers rent
Colorado PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,160
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$112,320
Tax estimate: 4.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Denver
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Denver's GSA rates and cost of living index of 128.7.
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
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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:
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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.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Denver
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Denver. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$183/night
$1,281/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,764
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 Colorado
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Colorado Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Denver
- UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
- Denver Health
- Presbyterian/St. Luke's
Other Specialties in Denver
ICU
~$54/hr
Very HighER
~$53/hr
Very HighOR
~$55/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$51/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$47/hr
Very HighPACU
~$52/hr
HighNICU
~$53/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$48/hr
ModerateOncology
~$50/hr
HighOther Colorado Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Aurora
~$54/hr PICU
COL: 115.5
Colorado Springs
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 98.2
Durango
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 108.5
Fort Collins
~$53/hr PICU
COL: 108.5
Grand Junction
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 95.5
Greeley
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Denver?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Denver earn approximately $54/hr in taxable wages ($2,160/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,924. Annual potential is $112,320 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Denver?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Denver are: Lodging $183/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,764. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Denver affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Denver is 128.7 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,700/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$5,547/month, leaving a surplus of $3,847/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Colorado assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Colorado specifically: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Denver without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Denver hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Denver that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health, Presbyterian/St. Luke's. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Denver.
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