PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Kansas City, Missouri
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Kansas City.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$49/hr
Kansas City, MO
Total Weekly Package
$3,437
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,861
After ~29.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Kansas City
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 89.9
Monthly Margin
+3,204/mo
Stipend covers rent
Missouri PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,960
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$101,920
Tax estimate: 5.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Kansas City
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Kansas City's GSA rates and cost of living index of 89.9.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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 — Kansas City
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Kansas City. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$142/night
$994/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,477
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 Missouri
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Missouri Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Kansas City
- Saint Luke's Hospital
- University Health
- Children's Mercy
Other Specialties in Kansas City
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Missouri Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
View all Missouri cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Kansas City?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Kansas City earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,960/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,437. Annual potential is $101,920 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Kansas City?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Kansas City are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Kansas City affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Kansas City is 89.9 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Missouri assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Missouri specifically: Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Kansas City without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Kansas City hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Kansas City that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Saint Luke's Hospital, University Health, Children's Mercy. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Kansas City.
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