NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Lexington, Kentucky
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Lexington.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$48/hr
Lexington, KY
Total Weekly Package
$3,142
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,584
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Lexington
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Kentucky NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,924
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$100,067
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Lexington
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lexington'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 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in KY.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$418
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,121
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,578
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,156
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$110,313
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,121
per week
Taxes
$418
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Kentucky
$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 Louisville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Kentucky
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Kentucky's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.3 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 — Lexington
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Lexington. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
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 Kentucky
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Kentucky Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Lexington
- UK HealthCare
- Baptist Health
- CHI Saint Joseph
Other Specialties in Lexington
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Kentucky Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Bowling Green
~$47/hr NICU
COL: 85.2
Louisville
~$47/hr NICU
COL: 89.4
Owensboro
~$39/hr NICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Lexington?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Lexington earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,924/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,142. Annual potential is $100,067 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lexington?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lexington are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Lexington affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Lexington is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Kentucky assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Kentucky specifically: Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Lexington without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Lexington hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lexington that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UK HealthCare, Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Lexington.
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