PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Appleton, Wisconsin
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Appleton.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$44/hr
Appleton, WI
Total Weekly Package
$2,894
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,337
After ~31.65% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Appleton
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Wisconsin PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,760
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$91,520
Tax estimate: 7.65% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU Pay in Appleton
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Appleton'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.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 7.65% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$74.53
Based on 36 hours in WI.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,683
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,584
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$501
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,182
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,362
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,723
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$113,447
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,182
per week
Taxes
$501
per week
Total Gross: $2,683 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Wisconsin
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Milwaukee:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Wisconsin
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Wisconsin's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.9 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
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 — Appleton
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Appleton. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
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 Wisconsin
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Wisconsin Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Appleton
- Appleton Regional Medical
- Appleton General Hospital
- Community Health Appleton
Other Specialties in Appleton
ICU
~$44/hr
Very HighER
~$43/hr
Very HighOR
~$45/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$42/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$38/hr
Very HighPACU
~$42/hr
HighNICU
~$43/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$39/hr
ModerateOncology
~$41/hr
HighOther Wisconsin Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Eau Claire
~$44/hr PICU
COL: 95
La Crosse
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 88.5
Madison
~$53/hr PICU
COL: 102.5
Milwaukee
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 95.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Appleton?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Appleton earn approximately $44/hr in taxable wages ($1,760/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,894. Annual potential is $91,520 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Appleton?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Appleton are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Appleton affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Appleton is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PICU travel nurses need for Wisconsin assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU experience. For Wisconsin specifically: Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Appleton without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Appleton hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Appleton that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Appleton Regional Medical, Appleton General Hospital, Community Health Appleton. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Appleton.
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