ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Columbus, Ohio
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Columbus.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$49/hr
Columbus, OH
Total Weekly Package
$3,437
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,888
After ~27.990000000000002% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Columbus
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 90.1
Monthly Margin
+3,204/mo
Stipend covers rent
Ohio ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,960
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$101,920
Tax estimate: 3.99% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Columbus
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Columbus's GSA rates and cost of living index of 90.1.
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 — Columbus
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Columbus. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$142/night
$994/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,477
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 ICU Travel Nurses in Ohio
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Ohio Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Columbus
- Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Nationwide Children's Hospital
- Mount Carmel Health
Other Specialties in Columbus
ER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Ohio Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Akron
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 81.5
Cincinnati
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 88.9
Cleveland
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 88.2
Dayton
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 82.1
Parma
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 83.5
Toledo
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 80.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Columbus?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Columbus earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,960/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,437. Annual potential is $101,920 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Columbus?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Columbus are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Columbus affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Columbus is 90.1 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Ohio assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Ohio specifically: Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Columbus without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Columbus hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Columbus that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Mount Carmel Health. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Columbus actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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