ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Nashville, Tennessee
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Nashville.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$50/hr
Nashville, TN
Total Weekly Package
$3,477
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,997
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Nashville
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,400/mo
COL index: 101.3
Monthly Margin
+2,904/mo
Stipend covers rent
Tennessee ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,000
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$104,000
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Nashville
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Nashville's GSA rates and cost of living index of 101.3.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in TN.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$354
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,221
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,870
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,740
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$115,480
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,221
per week
Taxes
$354
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Tennessee
$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 Nashville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Tennessee
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Tennessee's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 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 — Nashville
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Nashville. 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 Tennessee
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Tennessee Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Nashville
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center
- Saint Thomas Health
Other Specialties in Nashville
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 Tennessee Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Chattanooga
~$49/hr ICU
COL: 85.2
Knoxville
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 88.5
Memphis
~$48/hr ICU
COL: 84.2
Murfreesboro
~$41/hr ICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Nashville?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Nashville earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,000/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,477. Annual potential is $104,000 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Nashville?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Nashville 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 Nashville affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Nashville is 101.3 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $2,904/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Tennessee assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Tennessee specifically: Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Nashville without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Nashville hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Nashville that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TriStar Centennial Medical Center, Saint Thomas Health. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Nashville actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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