Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Augusta, GA High Demand

PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Augusta, Georgia

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric 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

Verified

Avg Hourly (PICU)

$49/hr

Augusta, GA

Total Weekly Package

$3,094

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,511

After ~29.75% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: PICU 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

#12

Georgia PICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,960

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,134

Annual Potential

$101,920

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 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

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Georgia ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.8%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.75%

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

Loading chart...

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

Monthly Net Income:$10,343
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,243

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:89.5

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 PICU 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Georgia

PICU Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • PALS
  • 2+ years PICU experience

Georgia Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5.75%

Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Augusta

  • AU Health
  • Doctors Hospital
  • Trinity Hospital

Other Specialties in Augusta

View full Augusta pay guide →

Other Georgia Cities for PICU Travel Nurses

View all Georgia cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PICU travel nurses make in Augusta?

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Augusta earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,960/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,094. Annual potential is $101,920 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 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 Augusta without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Augusta hire PICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Augusta that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: AU Health, Doctors Hospital, Trinity Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Augusta.

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Resources for Augusta