NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Grand Junction, Colorado
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Grand Junction.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$50/hr
Grand Junction, CO
Total Weekly Package
$3,326
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,757
After ~28.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Grand Junction
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,150/mo
COL index: 95.5
Monthly Margin
+2,487/mo
Stipend covers rent
Colorado NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,003
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$104,151
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 Grand Junction
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Grand Junction's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.5.
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 — Grand Junction
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Grand Junction. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
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 Grand Junction
- Intermountain Health
- Community Hospital
- St. Mary's Medical
Other Specialties in Grand Junction
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/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
Fort Collins
~$52/hr NICU
COL: 108.5
Greeley
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Grand Junction?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Grand Junction earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,003/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,326. Annual potential is $104,151 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Grand Junction?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Grand Junction are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Grand Junction affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Grand Junction is 95.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,150/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,487/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 Grand Junction without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Grand Junction hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Grand Junction that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Intermountain Health, Community Hospital, St. Mary's Medical. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Grand Junction.
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