PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Owensboro, Kentucky
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Owensboro.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$40/hr
Owensboro, KY
Total Weekly Package
$2,734
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,270
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Owensboro
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
Kentucky PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,600
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$83,200
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Owensboro
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Owensboro'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% 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 — Owensboro
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Owensboro. 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 Kentucky
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Kentucky Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Owensboro
- Owensboro Regional Medical
- Owensboro General Hospital
- Community Health Owensboro
Other Specialties in Owensboro
ICU
~$40/hr
Very HighER
~$39/hr
Very HighOR
~$41/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$38/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$35/hr
Very HighPACU
~$39/hr
HighNICU
~$39/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$36/hr
ModerateOncology
~$37/hr
HighOther Kentucky Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Bowling Green
~$48/hr PICU
COL: 85.2
Lexington
~$49/hr PICU
COL: 88.5
Louisville
~$48/hr PICU
COL: 89.4
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Owensboro?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Owensboro earn approximately $40/hr in taxable wages ($1,600/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,734. Annual potential is $83,200 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Owensboro?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Owensboro 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 Owensboro affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Owensboro 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 Kentucky assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Kentucky specifically: Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Owensboro without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Owensboro hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Owensboro that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Owensboro Regional Medical, Owensboro General Hospital, Community Health Owensboro. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Owensboro.
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