NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Houston, Texas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Houston.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$49/hr
Houston, TX
Total Weekly Package
$3,441
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,970
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in Houston
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 98.2
Monthly Margin
+3,004/mo
Stipend covers rent
Texas 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 Houston
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Houston's GSA rates and cost of living index of 98.2.
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 — Houston
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in Houston. 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 Texas
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Texas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in Houston
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Memorial Hermann
Other Specialties in Houston
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 Texas Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Abilene
~$45/hr NICU
COL: 95
Amarillo
~$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
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in Houston?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Houston 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 Houston?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Houston 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 Houston affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Houston is 98.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,004/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 Houston without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Houston hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Houston that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Houston Methodist Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in Houston.
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