Intensive Care Unit Laredo, TX Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Laredo, Texas

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Laredo.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (ICU)

$48/hr

Laredo, TX

Total Weekly Package

$3,138

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,677

After ~24% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: ICU in Laredo

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,334/mo

$110/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$850/mo

COL index: 82.1

Monthly Margin

+2,484/mo

Stipend covers rent

#28

Texas ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,920

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,218

Annual Potential

$99,840

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 Laredo

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Laredo'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.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Texas ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate24.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 0%

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

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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.

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Cost of Living Analysis in Texas

Monthly Net Income:$10,208
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,108

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:92.7

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 — Laredo

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Laredo. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$110/night

$770/week

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

$448/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,218

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

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax None

Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Laredo

  • Laredo Medical Center
  • Doctors Hospital
  • Gateway Community Health

Other Specialties in Laredo

View full Laredo pay guide →

Other Texas Cities for ICU Travel Nurses

View all Texas cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Laredo?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Laredo earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,920/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,138. Annual potential is $99,840 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Laredo?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Laredo are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Laredo affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Laredo is 82.1 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,484/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 Laredo without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Laredo hire ICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Laredo that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Laredo Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Gateway Community Health. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Laredo actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Laredo