Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Dover, DE High Demand

PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Dover, Delaware

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Dover.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (PICU)

$48/hr

Dover, DE

Total Weekly Package

$3,243

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,655

After ~30.6% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: PICU in Dover

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+2,637/mo

Stipend covers rent

#18

Delaware PICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,920

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,323

Annual Potential

$99,840

Tax estimate: 6.6% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your PICU Pay in Dover

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Dover's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Delaware ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate30.6%
Federal: 24%
State: 6.6%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 6.6% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in DE.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$529

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,487

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$32,334

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$64,668

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$129,336

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,487

per week

Taxes

$529

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Delaware

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,537

Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Wilmington:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Delaware

Monthly Net Income:$10,770
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,670

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:102.3

National average = 100. Delaware's cost of living is higher than the national average by 2.3 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 — Dover

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Dover. 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Delaware

PICU Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • PALS
  • 2+ years PICU experience

Delaware Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $250
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 6.6%

Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Dover

  • Dover Regional Medical
  • Dover General Hospital
  • Community Health Dover

Other Specialties in Dover

View full Dover pay guide →

Other Delaware Cities for PICU Travel Nurses

View all Delaware cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PICU travel nurses make in Dover?

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Dover earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,920/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,243. Annual potential is $99,840 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Dover?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Dover 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 Dover affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Dover is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Delaware assignments?

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Delaware specifically: Delaware is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Dover without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Dover hire PICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Dover that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Dover Regional Medical, Dover General Hospital, Community Health Dover. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Dover.

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Resources for Dover