NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Augusta, Georgia
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Augusta.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$48/hr
Augusta, GA
Total Weekly Package
$3,058
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,486
After ~29.75% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Augusta
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$950/mo
COL index: 85.2
Monthly Margin
+2,020/mo
Stipend covers rent
Georgia NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,924
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$100,067
Tax estimate: 5.75% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Augusta
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Augusta's GSA rates and cost of living index of 85.2.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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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
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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:
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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.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Augusta
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Augusta. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
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 Georgia
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Georgia Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Augusta
- AU Health
- Doctors Hospital
- Trinity Hospital
Other Specialties in Augusta
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Georgia Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Athens
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 88.5
Atlanta
~$51/hr NICU
COL: 108.1
Rome
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 95
Savannah
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 90.7
Valdosta
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 95
Warner Robins
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Augusta?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Augusta earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,924/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,058. Annual potential is $100,067 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Augusta?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Augusta are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Augusta affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Augusta is 85.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $950/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $2,020/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Georgia assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Georgia specifically: Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Augusta without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Augusta hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Augusta that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: AU Health, Doctors Hospital, Trinity Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Augusta.
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