Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Norman, OK High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Norman, Oklahoma

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Norman.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (NICU)

$39/hr

Norman, OK

Total Weekly Package

$2,705

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,249

After ~29% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: NICU in Norman

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

#47

Oklahoma NICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,571

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,134

Annual Potential

$81,687

Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Norman

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Norman'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.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Oklahoma ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$70.53

Based on 36 hours in OK.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,539

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,440

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$418

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,121

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$27,578

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$55,156

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$110,313

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,121

per week

Taxes

$418

per week

Total Gross: $2,539 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Oklahoma

$800

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,170

Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.

Find apartments under $800/month in Oklahoma City:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Oklahoma

Monthly Net Income:$9,186
Average 1BR Rent:$800
True Discretionary Income:$8,386

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:87.9

National average = 100. Oklahoma's cost of living is lower than the national average by 12.1 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 — Norman

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Norman. 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 Oklahoma

NICU Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years NICU experience

Oklahoma Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5%

Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Norman

  • Norman Regional Medical
  • Norman General Hospital
  • Community Health Norman

Other Specialties in Norman

View full Norman pay guide →

Other Oklahoma Cities for NICU Travel Nurses

View all Oklahoma cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Norman?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Norman earn approximately $39/hr in taxable wages ($1,571/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,705. Annual potential is $81,687 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Norman?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Norman 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 Norman affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Norman 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 Oklahoma assignments?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Oklahoma specifically: Oklahoma is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Norman without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Norman hire NICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Norman that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Norman Regional Medical, Norman General Hospital, Community Health Norman. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Norman.

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Resources for Norman