PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Cleveland, Ohio
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric 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 (PICU)
$52/hr
Cleveland, OH
Total Weekly Package
$3,844
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,262
After ~27.990000000000002% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU 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 PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,080
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$108,160
Tax estimate: 3.99% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU 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 PICU 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Ohio
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Ohio Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU 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
HighNICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$46/hr
ModerateOncology
~$48/hr
HighOther Ohio Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Akron
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 81.5
Cincinnati
~$52/hr PICU
COL: 88.9
Columbus
~$49/hr PICU
COL: 90.1
Dayton
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 82.1
Parma
~$52/hr PICU
COL: 83.5
Toledo
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 80.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Cleveland?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Cleveland earn approximately $52/hr in taxable wages ($2,080/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,844. Annual potential is $108,160 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 PICU travel nurses need for Ohio assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU 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 PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Cleveland that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Cleveland.
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