ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Charleston, South Carolina
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Charleston.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$50/hr
Charleston, SC
Total Weekly Package
$3,323
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,703
After ~31% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Charleston
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 112.5
Monthly Margin
+2,337/mo
Stipend covers rent
South Carolina ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,000
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$104,000
Tax estimate: 7% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Charleston
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Charleston's GSA rates and cost of living index of 112.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 7% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in SC.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$469
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,142
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,850
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,699
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$111,399
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,142
per week
Taxes
$469
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in South Carolina
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Charleston:
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Cost of Living Analysis in South Carolina
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. South Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 4.2 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 — Charleston
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Charleston. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
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 South Carolina
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
South Carolina Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Charleston
- MUSC Health
- Roper St. Francis
- Trident Medical
Other Specialties in Charleston
ER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther South Carolina Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
View all South Carolina cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Charleston?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Charleston earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,000/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,323. Annual potential is $104,000 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Charleston?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Charleston are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Charleston affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Charleston is 112.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,337/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for South Carolina assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For South Carolina specifically: South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Charleston without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Charleston hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Charleston that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis, Trident Medical. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Charleston actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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