Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Yakima, WA High Demand

PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Yakima, Washington

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

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (PICU)

$56/hr

Yakima, WA

Total Weekly Package

$3,563

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$3,025

After ~24% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: PICU in Yakima

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+2,637/mo

Stipend covers rent

#4

Washington PICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$2,240

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,323

Annual Potential

$116,480

Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your PICU Pay in Yakima

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Yakima's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.

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 Washington ($840/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

$91.78

Based on 36 hours in WA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,304

Taxable Weekly Income

$2,016

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$484

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,820

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$36,662

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$73,324

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$146,648

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,820

per week

Taxes

$484

per week

Total Gross: $3,304 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Washington

$1,600

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,037

Your stipend covers rent with $2,037 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,600/month in Seattle:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Washington

Monthly Net Income:$12,211
Average 1BR Rent:$1,600
True Discretionary Income:$10,611

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

Cost of Living Index:118.7

National average = 100. Washington's cost of living is higher than the national average by 18.7 points.

Housing Cost: High

Utilities: Moderate

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 — Yakima

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

Lodging

$120/night

$840/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,323

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 PICU Travel Nurses in Washington

PICU Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • PALS
  • 2+ years PICU experience

Washington Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $300
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax None

Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Yakima

  • Yakima Regional Medical
  • Yakima General Hospital
  • Community Health Yakima

Other Specialties in Yakima

View full Yakima pay guide →

Other Washington Cities for PICU Travel Nurses

View all Washington cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PICU travel nurses make in Yakima?

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Yakima earn approximately $56/hr in taxable wages ($2,240/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,563. Annual potential is $116,480 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Yakima?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Yakima are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Yakima affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Yakima is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Washington assignments?

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Washington specifically: Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Yakima without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Yakima hire PICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Yakima that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Yakima Regional Medical, Yakima General Hospital, Community Health Yakima. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Yakima.

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Resources for Yakima