ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Normal, Illinois
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Normal.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$48/hr
Normal, IL
Total Weekly Package
$3,243
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,687
After ~28.95% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Normal
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+2,637/mo
Stipend covers rent
Illinois ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,920
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$99,840
Tax estimate: 4.95% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Normal
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Normal's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.95% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$83.78
Based on 36 hours in IL.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,016
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$500
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,516
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$32,705
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$65,409
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$130,819
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,516
per week
Taxes
$500
per week
Total Gross: $3,016 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Illinois
$1,200
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,437
Your stipend covers rent with $2,437 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,200/month in Chicago:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Illinois
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Illinois's cost of living is lower than the national average by 5.7 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 — Normal
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Normal. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
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 ICU Travel Nurses in Illinois
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Illinois Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Normal
- Normal Regional Medical
- Normal General Hospital
- Community Health Normal
Other Specialties in Normal
ER
~$47/hr
Very HighOR
~$49/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$45/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$42/hr
Very HighPACU
~$46/hr
HighNICU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$43/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Illinois Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Bloomington
~$48/hr ICU
COL: 95
Champaign
~$48/hr ICU
COL: 95
Chicago
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 106.9
Elgin
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 95.5
Rockford
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 82.3
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Normal?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Normal earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,920/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,243. Annual potential is $99,840 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Normal?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Normal are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Normal affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Normal is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Illinois assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Illinois specifically: A separate Illinois RN license is required. Cost: $200, processing time: 4-6 weeks.
Which hospitals in Normal hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Normal that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Normal Regional Medical, Normal General Hospital, Community Health Normal. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Normal actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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