ICU Travel Nurse Salary in El Paso, Texas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to El Paso.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$47/hr
El Paso, TX
Total Weekly Package
$3,357
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,906
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in El Paso
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$950/mo
COL index: 82.1
Monthly Margin
+3,354/mo
Stipend covers rent
Texas ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,880
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$97,760
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 El Paso
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for El Paso's GSA rates and cost of living index of 82.1.
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
$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
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
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:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
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.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — El Paso
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in El Paso. 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 Texas
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Texas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in El Paso
- University Medical Center
- Las Palmas Medical Center
- Sierra Medical Center
Other Specialties in El Paso
ER
~$46/hr
Very HighOR
~$48/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$44/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$41/hr
Very HighPACU
~$45/hr
HighNICU
~$46/hr
HighPICU
~$47/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$42/hr
ModerateOncology
~$44/hr
HighOther Texas Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Abilene
~$46/hr ICU
COL: 95
Amarillo
~$46/hr ICU
COL: 95
Arlington
~$50/hr ICU
COL: 100.1
Austin
~$52/hr ICU
COL: 119.3
Brownsville
~$46/hr ICU
COL: 88.5
Corpus Christi
~$49/hr ICU
COL: 85.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in El Paso?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in El Paso earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,880/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,357. Annual potential is $97,760 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for El Paso?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for El Paso 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 El Paso affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in El Paso is 82.1 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $950/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,354/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Texas assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Texas specifically: Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in El Paso without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in El Paso hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in El Paso that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: University Medical Center, Las Palmas Medical Center, Sierra Medical Center. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in El Paso actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.