NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Wilmington, Delaware
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Wilmington.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$47/hr
Wilmington, DE
Total Weekly Package
$3,208
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,631
After ~30.6% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Wilmington
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
Delaware NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,885
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$98,025
Tax estimate: 6.6% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Wilmington
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Wilmington's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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 — Wilmington
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Wilmington. 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 Delaware
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Delaware Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Wilmington
- Wilmington Regional Medical
- Wilmington General Hospital
- Community Health Wilmington
Other Specialties in Wilmington
ICU
~$48/hr
Very HighER
~$47/hr
Very HighOR
~$49/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$45/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$42/hr
Very HighPACU
~$46/hr
HighPICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$43/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Delaware Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
View all Delaware cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Wilmington?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Wilmington earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,885/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,208. Annual potential is $98,025 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Wilmington?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Wilmington 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 Wilmington affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Wilmington 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 NICU travel nurses need for Delaware assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Delaware specifically: Delaware is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Wilmington without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Wilmington hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Wilmington that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Wilmington Regional Medical, Wilmington General Hospital, Community Health Wilmington. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Wilmington.
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