PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Portsmouth.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$53/hr
Portsmouth, NH
Total Weekly Package
$3,443
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,828
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Portsmouth
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
COL index: 125.3
Monthly Margin
+2,137/mo
Stipend covers rent
New Hampshire PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,120
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$110,240
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Portsmouth
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Portsmouth's GSA rates and cost of living index of 125.3.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$83.78
Based on 36 hours in NH.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,016
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$501
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,515
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$32,693
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$65,387
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$130,774
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,515
per week
Taxes
$501
per week
Total Gross: $3,016 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in New Hampshire
$1,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,337
Your stipend covers rent with $2,337 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,300/month in Manchester:
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Cost of Living Analysis in New Hampshire
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. New Hampshire's cost of living is higher than the national average by 14.4 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: High
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 — Portsmouth
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Portsmouth. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
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 New Hampshire
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
New Hampshire Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Regional
- Exeter Hospital
- Wentworth-Douglass
Other Specialties in Portsmouth
ICU
~$53/hr
Very HighER
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$54/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$46/hr
Very HighPACU
~$51/hr
HighNICU
~$52/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$47/hr
ModerateOncology
~$49/hr
HighOther New Hampshire Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
View all New Hampshire cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Portsmouth?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Portsmouth earn approximately $53/hr in taxable wages ($2,120/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,443. Annual potential is $110,240 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Portsmouth?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Portsmouth are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Portsmouth affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Portsmouth is 125.3 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,137/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for New Hampshire assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For New Hampshire specifically: New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Portsmouth without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Portsmouth hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Portsmouth that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Portsmouth Regional, Exeter Hospital, Wentworth-Douglass. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Portsmouth.
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