NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Grand Island.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$40/hr
Grand Island, NE
Total Weekly Package
$2,744
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,247
After ~30.84% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Grand Island
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
Nebraska NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,610
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$83,729
Tax estimate: 6.84% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Grand Island
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Grand Island's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 6.84% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in NE.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$455
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,120
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,557
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,115
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$110,230
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,120
per week
Taxes
$455
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Nebraska
$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 Omaha:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Nebraska
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Nebraska's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.9 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 — Grand Island
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Grand Island. 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 Nebraska
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Nebraska Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Grand Island
- Grand Island Regional Medical
- Grand Island General Hospital
- Community Health Grand Island
Other Specialties in Grand Island
ICU
~$41/hr
Very HighER
~$40/hr
Very HighOR
~$42/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$39/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$36/hr
Very HighPACU
~$40/hr
HighPICU
~$41/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$37/hr
ModerateOncology
~$38/hr
HighOther Nebraska Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
View all Nebraska cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Grand Island?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Grand Island earn approximately $40/hr in taxable wages ($1,610/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,744. Annual potential is $83,729 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Grand Island?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Grand Island 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 Grand Island affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Grand Island 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 Nebraska assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Nebraska specifically: Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Grand Island without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Grand Island hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Grand Island that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Grand Island Regional Medical, Grand Island General Hospital, Community Health Grand Island. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Grand Island.
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