NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Amarillo, Texas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Amarillo.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$45/hr
Amarillo, TX
Total Weekly Package
$2,941
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,507
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Amarillo
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Texas NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,807
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$93,940
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 Amarillo
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Amarillo's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$76.53
Based on 36 hours in TX.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,755
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,656
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$397
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,358
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$30,648
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$61,297
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$122,593
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,358
per week
Taxes
$397
per week
Total Gross: $2,755 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Texas
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,870
Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Houston:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Texas
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Texas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 7.3 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 — Amarillo
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Amarillo. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
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 Texas
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Texas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Amarillo
- Amarillo Regional Medical
- Amarillo General Hospital
- Community Health Amarillo
Other Specialties in Amarillo
ICU
~$46/hr
Very HighER
~$45/hr
Very HighOR
~$47/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$43/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$40/hr
Very HighPACU
~$44/hr
HighPICU
~$46/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$41/hr
ModerateOncology
~$43/hr
HighOther Texas Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Abilene
~$45/hr NICU
COL: 95
Arlington
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 100.1
Austin
~$51/hr NICU
COL: 119.3
Brownsville
~$45/hr NICU
COL: 88.5
Corpus Christi
~$48/hr NICU
COL: 85.2
Dallas
~$50/hr NICU
COL: 101.6
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Amarillo?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Amarillo earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,807/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,941. Annual potential is $93,940 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Amarillo?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Amarillo are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Amarillo affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Amarillo is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Texas assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Texas specifically: Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Amarillo without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Amarillo hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Amarillo that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Amarillo Regional Medical, Amarillo General Hospital, Community Health Amarillo. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Amarillo.
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