ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Philadelphia.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$53/hr
Philadelphia, PA
Total Weekly Package
$3,884
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,310
After ~27.07% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Philadelphia
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$5,547/mo
$183/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
COL index: 101.5
Monthly Margin
+4,047/mo
Stipend covers rent
Pennsylvania ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,120
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$110,240
Tax estimate: 3.07% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Philadelphia
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Philadelphia's GSA rates and cost of living index of 101.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.07% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$83.78
Based on 36 hours in PA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,016
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$468
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,548
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$33,127
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$66,254
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$132,508
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,548
per week
Taxes
$468
per week
Total Gross: $3,016 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Pennsylvania
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,537
Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Philadelphia:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Pennsylvania
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Pennsylvania's cost of living is higher than the national average by 0.3 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
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 — Philadelphia
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Philadelphia. 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 ICU Travel Nurses in Pennsylvania
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Pennsylvania Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Philadelphia
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
- Temple University Hospital
Other Specialties in Philadelphia
ER
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$54/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$46/hr
Very HighPACU
~$51/hr
HighNICU
~$52/hr
HighPICU
~$53/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$47/hr
ModerateOncology
~$49/hr
HighOther Pennsylvania Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Allentown
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 90.4
Pittsburgh
~$53/hr ICU
COL: 88.2
Reading
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 88.5
Scranton
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 82.5
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Philadelphia?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Philadelphia earn approximately $53/hr in taxable wages ($2,120/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,884. Annual potential is $110,240 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Philadelphia?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Philadelphia is 101.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$5,547/month, leaving a surplus of $4,047/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Pennsylvania assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Pennsylvania specifically: A separate Pennsylvania RN license is required. Cost: $200, processing time: 4-6 weeks.
Which hospitals in Philadelphia hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Philadelphia that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Temple University Hospital. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Philadelphia actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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