Intensive Care Unit Minneapolis, MN Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Minneapolis, Minnesota

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Minneapolis.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (ICU)

$53/hr

Minneapolis, MN

Total Weekly Package

$3,884

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$3,166

After ~33.85% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: ICU in Minneapolis

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$5,547/mo

$183/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,400/mo

COL index: 105.3

Monthly Margin

+4,147/mo

Stipend covers rent

#20

Minnesota ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$2,120

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,764

Annual Potential

$110,240

Tax estimate: 9.85% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your ICU Pay in Minneapolis

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Minneapolis's GSA rates and cost of living index of 105.3.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Minnesota ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate33.9%
Federal: 24%
State: 9.85%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 9.85% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in MN.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$585

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,431

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$31,604

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$63,208

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$126,416

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,431

per week

Taxes

$585

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Minnesota

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,537

Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Minneapolis:

We may earn a commission if you book through our link.

Cost of Living Analysis in Minnesota

Monthly Net Income:$10,527
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,427

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:97.2

National average = 100. Minnesota's cost of living is lower than the national average by 2.8 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

Resources for Your Assignment

These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Minneapolis

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Minneapolis. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$183/night

$1,281/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,764

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 ICU Travel Nurses in Minnesota

ICU Certifications Required

  • ACLS
  • BLS
  • 2+ years ICU experience
  • Critical care certification preferred

Minnesota Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 9.85%

Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Minneapolis

  • Mayo Clinic
  • University of Minnesota Medical Center
  • Abbott Northwestern

Other Specialties in Minneapolis

View full Minneapolis pay guide →

Other Minnesota Cities for ICU Travel Nurses

View all Minnesota cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Minneapolis?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Minneapolis earn approximately $53/hr in taxable wages ($2,120/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,884. Annual potential is $110,240 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Minneapolis?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Minneapolis are: Lodging $183/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,764. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Minneapolis affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Minneapolis is 105.3 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$5,547/month, leaving a surplus of $4,147/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Minnesota assignments?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Minnesota specifically: Minnesota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Minneapolis without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Minneapolis hire ICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Minneapolis that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Minneapolis actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

Looking for a contract?

Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.

Resources for Minneapolis