PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Lansing, Michigan
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Lansing.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$50/hr
Lansing, MI
Total Weekly Package
$3,407
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,842
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Lansing
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$950/mo
COL index: 86.2
Monthly Margin
+3,051/mo
Stipend covers rent
Michigan PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,000
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$104,000
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Lansing
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lansing's GSA rates and cost of living index of 86.2.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$75.53
Based on 36 hours in MI.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,719
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,620
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$458
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,261
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$29,398
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$58,795
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$117,590
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,261
per week
Taxes
$458
per week
Total Gross: $2,719 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Michigan
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Detroit:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Michigan
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Michigan's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 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 — Lansing
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Lansing. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
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 Michigan
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Michigan Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Lansing
- Sparrow Hospital
- McLaren Greater Lansing
- Michigan State University
Other Specialties in Lansing
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Michigan Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Detroit
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 88.9
Grand Rapids
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 88.1
Muskegon
~$45/hr PICU
COL: 95
Saginaw
~$45/hr PICU
COL: 95
Sterling Heights
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 88.5
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Lansing?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Lansing earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,000/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,407. Annual potential is $104,000 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lansing?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lansing are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Lansing affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Lansing is 86.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $950/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $3,051/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Michigan assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Michigan specifically: Michigan is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Lansing without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Lansing hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lansing that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Sparrow Hospital, McLaren Greater Lansing, Michigan State University. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Lansing.
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