PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Tampa, Florida
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Tampa.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$51/hr
Tampa, FL
Total Weekly Package
$3,804
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,314
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Tampa
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$5,547/mo
$183/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,400/mo
COL index: 103.2
Monthly Margin
+4,147/mo
Stipend covers rent
Florida PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,040
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$106,080
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Tampa
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Tampa's GSA rates and cost of living index of 103.2.
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 — Tampa
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Tampa. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$183/night
$1,281/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,764
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 Florida
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Florida Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Tampa
- Tampa General Hospital
- Moffitt Cancer Center
- AdventHealth Tampa
Other Specialties in Tampa
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Florida Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Cape Coral
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 100.3
Hialeah
~$52/hr PICU
COL: 118.5
Jacksonville
~$48/hr PICU
COL: 96.3
Miami
~$53/hr PICU
COL: 118.9
Orlando
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 103.1
Pensacola
~$49/hr PICU
COL: 88.5
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Tampa?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Tampa earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,040/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,804. Annual potential is $106,080 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Tampa?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Tampa are: Lodging $183/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,764. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Tampa affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Tampa is 103.2 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$5,547/month, leaving a surplus of $4,147/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Florida assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Florida specifically: Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Tampa without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Tampa hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Tampa that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, AdventHealth Tampa. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Tampa.
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