Intensive Care Unit Hilton Head, SC Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Hilton Head, South Carolina

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

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (ICU)

$50/hr

Hilton Head, SC

Total Weekly Package

$3,323

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,703

After ~31% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: ICU in Hilton Head

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,400/mo

COL index: 118.5

Monthly Margin

+2,237/mo

Stipend covers rent

#40

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 Hilton Head

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Hilton Head's GSA rates and cost of living index of 118.5.

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 South Carolina ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate31.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 7%

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

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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

Monthly Net Income:$9,276
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,276

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

Cost of Living Index:95.8

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 — Hilton Head

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Hilton Head. 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

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 7%

Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Hilton Head

  • Hilton Head Hospital
  • Beaufort Memorial
  • Coastal Carolina

Other Specialties in Hilton Head

View full Hilton Head pay guide →

Other 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 Hilton Head?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Hilton Head is 118.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,237/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 Hilton Head without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Hilton Head hire ICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Hilton Head that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Hilton Head Hospital, Beaufort Memorial, Coastal Carolina. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Hilton Head actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Hilton Head