ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Chapel Hill.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$51/hr
Chapel Hill, NC
Total Weekly Package
$3,174
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,577
After ~29.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Chapel Hill
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 112.5
Monthly Margin
+1,670/mo
Stipend covers rent
North Carolina ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,040
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$106,080
Tax estimate: 5.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Chapel Hill
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Chapel Hill's GSA rates and cost of living index of 112.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$74.53
Based on 36 hours in NC.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,683
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,584
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$463
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,220
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,856
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,712
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$115,423
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,220
per week
Taxes
$463
per week
Total Gross: $2,683 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in North Carolina
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,870
Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Charlotte:
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Cost of Living Analysis in North Carolina
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. North Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.5 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
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 — Chapel Hill
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Chapel Hill. 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 ICU Travel Nurses in North Carolina
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
North Carolina Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Chapel Hill
- UNC Health
- Duke Health
- WakeMed
Other Specialties in Chapel Hill
ER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther North Carolina Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Asheville
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 108.5
Charlotte
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 99.6
Concord
~$44/hr ICU
COL: 95
Durham
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 102.5
Fayetteville
~$49/hr ICU
COL: 84.5
Greensboro
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 89.8
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Chapel Hill?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Chapel Hill earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,040/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,174. Annual potential is $106,080 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Chapel Hill?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Chapel Hill is 112.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,670/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for North Carolina assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For North Carolina specifically: North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Chapel Hill without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Chapel Hill hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Chapel Hill that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UNC Health, Duke Health, WakeMed. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Chapel Hill actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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