PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Bloomington, Indiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Bloomington.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$49/hr
Bloomington, IN
Total Weekly Package
$3,094
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,560
After ~27.23% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Bloomington
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Indiana 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: 3.23% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Bloomington
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Bloomington's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.23% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in IN.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$412
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,199
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,591
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,181
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$114,363
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,199
per week
Taxes
$412
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Indiana
$900
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,070
Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.
Find apartments under $900/month in Indianapolis:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Indiana
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Indiana's cost of living is lower than the national average by 12.1 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 — Bloomington
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Bloomington. 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 Indiana
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Indiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Bloomington
- IU Health Bloomington
- Monroe Hospital
- Greene County General
Other Specialties in Bloomington
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Indiana Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Evansville
~$49/hr PICU
COL: 81.5
Fort Wayne
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 82.5
Lafayette
~$49/hr PICU
COL: 85.2
Muncie
~$42/hr PICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Bloomington?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Bloomington 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 Bloomington?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Bloomington 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 Bloomington affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Bloomington is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Indiana assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Indiana specifically: Indiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Bloomington without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Bloomington hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Bloomington that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: IU Health Bloomington, Monroe Hospital, Greene County General. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Bloomington.
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