PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Atlanta, Georgia
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Atlanta.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$52/hr
Atlanta, GA
Total Weekly Package
$3,844
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,225
After ~29.75% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Atlanta
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$5,547/mo
$183/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,400/mo
COL index: 108.1
Monthly Margin
+4,147/mo
Stipend covers rent
Georgia PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,080
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$108,160
Tax estimate: 5.75% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Atlanta
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Atlanta's GSA rates and cost of living index of 108.1.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.75% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$81.53
Based on 36 hours in GA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,935
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,836
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$546
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,389
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$31,054
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$62,109
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$124,217
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,389
per week
Taxes
$546
per week
Total Gross: $2,935 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Georgia
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,870
Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Atlanta:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
Cost of Living Analysis in Georgia
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Georgia's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.5 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Atlanta
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Atlanta. 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 Georgia
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Georgia Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Atlanta
- Emory University Hospital
- Piedmont Hospital
- Northside Hospital
Other Specialties in Atlanta
ICU
~$52/hr
Very HighER
~$51/hr
Very HighOR
~$53/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$49/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$50/hr
HighNICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$46/hr
ModerateOncology
~$48/hr
HighOther Georgia Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Athens
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 88.5
Augusta
~$49/hr PICU
COL: 85.2
Rome
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 95
Savannah
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 90.7
Valdosta
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 95
Warner Robins
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Atlanta?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Atlanta earn approximately $52/hr in taxable wages ($2,080/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,844. Annual potential is $108,160 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Atlanta?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Atlanta 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 Atlanta affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Atlanta is 108.1 (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 Georgia assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Georgia specifically: Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Atlanta without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Atlanta hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Atlanta that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Hospital, Northside Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Atlanta.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.