NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Fort Collins.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$52/hr
Fort Collins, CO
Total Weekly Package
$3,488
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,897
After ~28.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Fort Collins
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 108.5
Monthly Margin
+2,701/mo
Stipend covers rent
Colorado NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,081
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$108,236
Tax estimate: 4.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Fort Collins
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Fort Collins's GSA rates and cost of living index of 108.5.
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 — Fort Collins
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Fort Collins. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
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 Colorado
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Colorado Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Fort Collins
- UCHealth
- Banner Health
- Poudre Valley Hospital
Other Specialties in Fort Collins
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 Colorado Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Aurora
~$53/hr NICU
COL: 115.5
Colorado Springs
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 98.2
Denver
~$53/hr NICU
COL: 128.7
Durango
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 108.5
Grand Junction
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 95.5
Greeley
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Fort Collins?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Fort Collins earn approximately $52/hr in taxable wages ($2,081/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,488. Annual potential is $108,236 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Fort Collins?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Fort Collins are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Fort Collins affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Fort Collins is 108.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,701/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Colorado assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Colorado specifically: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Fort Collins without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Fort Collins hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Fort Collins that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UCHealth, Banner Health, Poudre Valley Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Fort Collins.
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