NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Cleveland, Ohio
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Cleveland.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$51/hr
Cleveland, OH
Total Weekly Package
$3,806
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,234
After ~27.990000000000002% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Cleveland
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$5,547/mo
$183/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 88.2
Monthly Margin
+4,447/mo
Stipend covers rent
Ohio NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,042
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$106,193
Tax estimate: 3.99% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in Cleveland
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Cleveland's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.2.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.99% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$82.53
Based on 36 hours in OH.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,971
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,872
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$524
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,447
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$31,811
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$63,623
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$127,245
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,447
per week
Taxes
$524
per week
Total Gross: $2,971 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Ohio
$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 Columbus:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Ohio
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Ohio's cost of living is lower than the national average by 9.3 points.
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 — Cleveland
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Cleveland. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$183/night
$1,281/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,764
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 Ohio
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Ohio Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Cleveland
- Cleveland Clinic
- University Hospitals
- MetroHealth
Other Specialties in Cleveland
ICU
~$52/hr
Very HighER
~$51/hr
Very HighOR
~$53/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$49/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$52/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$46/hr
ModerateOncology
~$48/hr
HighOther Ohio Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Akron
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 81.5
Cincinnati
~$51/hr NICU
COL: 88.9
Columbus
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 90.1
Dayton
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 82.1
Parma
~$51/hr NICU
COL: 83.5
Toledo
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 80.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Cleveland?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Cleveland earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,042/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,806. Annual potential is $106,193 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Cleveland?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Cleveland are: Lodging $183/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,764. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Cleveland affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Cleveland is 88.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$5,547/month, leaving a surplus of $4,447/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Ohio assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Ohio specifically: Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Cleveland without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Cleveland hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Cleveland that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Cleveland.
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