ICU Travel Nurse Salary in San Antonio, Texas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to San Antonio.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$49/hr
San Antonio, TX
Total Weekly Package
$3,437
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,967
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in San Antonio
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 89.3
Monthly Margin
+3,204/mo
Stipend covers rent
Texas ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,960
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$101,920
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 San Antonio
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for San Antonio's GSA rates and cost of living index of 89.3.
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 — San Antonio
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio
- University Health System
- Methodist Hospital
- Baptist Medical Center
Other Specialties in San Antonio
ER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/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 San Antonio?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in San Antonio earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,960/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,437. Annual potential is $101,920 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for San Antonio?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for San Antonio 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 San Antonio affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in San Antonio is 89.3 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/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 San Antonio without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in San Antonio hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in San Antonio that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: University Health System, Methodist Hospital, Baptist Medical Center. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in San Antonio actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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