PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Fargo, North Dakota
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Fargo.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$50/hr
Fargo, ND
Total Weekly Package
$3,218
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,680
After ~26.9% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Fargo
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
North Dakota PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,000
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$104,000
Tax estimate: 2.9% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Fargo
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Fargo's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 2.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in ND.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$407
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,204
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,656
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,311
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$114,622
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,204
per week
Taxes
$407
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in North Dakota
$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 Fargo:
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Cost of Living Analysis in North Dakota
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. North Dakota's cost of living is lower than the national average by 1.7 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
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 — Fargo
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Fargo. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
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 North Dakota
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
North Dakota Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Fargo
- Sanford Health
- Essentia Health
- VA Fargo
Other Specialties in Fargo
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 North Dakota Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
View all North Dakota cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Fargo?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Fargo earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,000/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,218. Annual potential is $104,000 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Fargo?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Fargo are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Fargo affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Fargo is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for North Dakota assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For North Dakota specifically: North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Fargo without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Fargo hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Fargo that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Sanford Health, Essentia Health, VA Fargo. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Fargo.
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