NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Orlando, Florida
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Orlando.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$50/hr
Orlando, FL
Total Weekly Package
$3,410
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,929
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Orlando
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 103.1
Monthly Margin
+2,701/mo
Stipend covers rent
Florida NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,003
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$104,151
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Orlando
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Orlando's GSA rates and cost of living index of 103.1.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$86.78
Based on 36 hours in FL.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,124
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,836
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$441
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,683
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$34,884
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$69,767
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$139,535
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,683
per week
Taxes
$441
per week
Total Gross: $3,124 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Florida
$1,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,337
Your stipend covers rent with $2,337 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,300/month in Miami:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Florida
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Florida's cost of living is higher than the national average by 0.7 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 — Orlando
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Orlando. 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 Florida
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Florida Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Orlando
- Orlando Health
- AdventHealth
- Nemours Children's Hospital
Other Specialties in Orlando
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 Florida Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Cape Coral
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 100.3
Hialeah
~$51/hr NICU
COL: 118.5
Jacksonville
~$47/hr NICU
COL: 96.3
Miami
~$52/hr NICU
COL: 118.9
Pensacola
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 88.5
Port St. Lucie
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 98.5
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Orlando?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Orlando earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,003/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,410. Annual potential is $104,151 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Orlando?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Orlando 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 Orlando affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Orlando is 103.1 (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 Florida assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Florida specifically: Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Orlando without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Orlando hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Orlando that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Orlando Health, AdventHealth, Nemours Children's Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Orlando.
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