NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Nashville, Tennessee
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal 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 (NICU)
$49/hr
Nashville, TN
Total Weekly Package
$3,441
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,970
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU 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 NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU 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 NICU 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 NICU Travel Nurses in Tennessee
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Tennessee Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Nashville
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center
- Saint Thomas Health
Other Specialties in Nashville
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Tennessee Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Chattanooga
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 85.2
Knoxville
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 88.5
Memphis
~$47/hr NICU
COL: 84.2
Murfreesboro
~$40/hr NICU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Nashville?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Nashville earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,441. Annual potential is $102,109 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 NICU travel nurses need for Tennessee assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. 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 NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Nashville that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TriStar Centennial Medical Center, Saint Thomas Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Nashville.
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