NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Honolulu, Hawaii
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Honolulu.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$57/hr
Honolulu, HI
Total Weekly Package
$4,455
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,658
After ~35% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Honolulu
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$7,032/mo
$232/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$2,100/mo
COL index: 193.3
Monthly Margin
+4,932/mo
Stipend covers rent
Hawaii NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,278
Max Weekly Stipend
$2,177
Annual Potential
$118,447
Tax estimate: 11% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Honolulu
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Honolulu's GSA rates and cost of living index of 193.3.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 11% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$108.36
Based on 36 hours in HI.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,901
Taxable Weekly Income
$2,088
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$731
True Net Weekly Pay
$3,170
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$41,213
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$82,425
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$164,850
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$3,170
per week
Taxes
$731
per week
Total Gross: $3,901 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,260
≈ $5,456/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Hawaii
$2,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$3,456
Your stipend covers rent with $3,456 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,000/month in Honolulu:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Hawaii
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Hawaii's cost of living is higher than the national average by 93.3 points.
💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.
Housing Cost: Very High
Utilities: Very High
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 — Honolulu
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Honolulu. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$232/night
$1,624/week
Meals & Incidentals
$79/day
$553/week
Total Weekly Max
$2,177
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 Hawaii
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Hawaii Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Honolulu
- Queen's Medical Center
- Straub Medical Center
- Kaiser Permanente
Other Specialties in Honolulu
ICU
~$58/hr
Very HighER
~$57/hr
Very HighOR
~$59/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$55/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$51/hr
Very HighPACU
~$56/hr
HighPICU
~$58/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$52/hr
ModerateOncology
~$54/hr
HighRelated Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Honolulu?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Honolulu earn approximately $57/hr in taxable wages ($2,278/week). Including GSA stipends up to $2,177/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $4,455. Annual potential is $118,447 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Honolulu?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Honolulu are: Lodging $232/night, Meals $74/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $2,177. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Honolulu affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Honolulu is 193.3 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$7,032/month, leaving a surplus of $4,932/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Hawaii assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Hawaii specifically: A separate Hawaii RN license is required. Cost: $300, processing time: 4-6 weeks.
Which hospitals in Honolulu hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Honolulu that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Queen's Medical Center, Straub Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Honolulu.
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