NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Joplin, Missouri
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Joplin.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$41/hr
Joplin, MO
Total Weekly Package
$2,783
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,298
After ~29.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Joplin
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
Missouri NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,649
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$85,772
Tax estimate: 5.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Joplin
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Joplin's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in MO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$445
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,166
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,164
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,328
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$112,657
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,166
per week
Taxes
$445
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Missouri
$900
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,070
Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.
Find apartments under $900/month in Kansas City:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Missouri
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Missouri's cost of living is lower than the national average by 12.1 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 — Joplin
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Joplin. 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 NICU Travel Nurses in Missouri
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Missouri Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Joplin
- Joplin Regional Medical
- Joplin General Hospital
- Community Health Joplin
Other Specialties in Joplin
ICU
~$42/hr
Very HighER
~$41/hr
Very HighOR
~$43/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$40/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$37/hr
Very HighPACU
~$40/hr
HighPICU
~$42/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$37/hr
ModerateOncology
~$39/hr
HighOther Missouri Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Kansas City
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 89.9
Springfield
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 82.5
St. Louis
~$51/hr NICU
COL: 85.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Joplin?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Joplin earn approximately $41/hr in taxable wages ($1,649/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,783. Annual potential is $85,772 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Joplin?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Joplin 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 Joplin affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Joplin 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 NICU travel nurses need for Missouri assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Missouri specifically: Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Joplin without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Joplin hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Joplin that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Joplin Regional Medical, Joplin General Hospital, Community Health Joplin. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Joplin.
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