PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Lawrence, Kansas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Lawrence.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$41/hr
Lawrence, KS
Total Weekly Package
$2,774
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,287
After ~29.7% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Lawrence
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Kansas PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,640
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$85,280
Tax estimate: 5.7% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Lawrence
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lawrence'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 5.7% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in KS.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$438
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,137
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,776
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,552
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$111,105
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,137
per week
Taxes
$438
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Kansas
$850
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,120
Your stipend covers rent with $2,120 left over each month.
Find apartments under $850/month in Wichita:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Kansas
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Kansas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 13.5 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 — Lawrence
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Lawrence. 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 Kansas
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Kansas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Lawrence
- Lawrence Regional Medical
- Lawrence General Hospital
- Community Health Lawrence
Other Specialties in Lawrence
ICU
~$41/hr
Very HighER
~$40/hr
Very HighOR
~$42/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$39/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$36/hr
Very HighPACU
~$40/hr
HighNICU
~$40/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$37/hr
ModerateOncology
~$38/hr
HighOther Kansas Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
View all Kansas cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Lawrence?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Lawrence earn approximately $41/hr in taxable wages ($1,640/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,774. Annual potential is $85,280 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lawrence?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lawrence 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 Lawrence affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Lawrence is 95 (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 Kansas assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Kansas specifically: Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Lawrence without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Lawrence hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lawrence that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Lawrence Regional Medical, Lawrence General Hospital, Community Health Lawrence. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Lawrence.
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