NICU Travel Nurse Salary in La Crosse, Wisconsin
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to La Crosse.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (NICU)
$49/hr
La Crosse, WI
Total Weekly Package
$3,182
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,560
After ~31.65% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: NICU in La Crosse
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Wisconsin NICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: 7.65% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your NICU Pay in La Crosse
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for La Crosse's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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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 — La Crosse
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for NICU travel nurses working in La Crosse. 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 NICU Travel Nurses in Wisconsin
NICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years NICU experience
Wisconsin Licensing
Hospitals Hiring NICU Travel Nurses in La Crosse
- Gundersen Health
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Winona Health
Other Specialties in La Crosse
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 Wisconsin Cities for NICU Travel Nurses
Appleton
~$43/hr NICU
COL: 95
Eau Claire
~$43/hr NICU
COL: 95
Madison
~$52/hr NICU
COL: 102.5
Milwaukee
~$49/hr NICU
COL: 95.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do NICU travel nurses make in La Crosse?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in La Crosse earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,182. Annual potential is $102,109 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for La Crosse?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for La Crosse 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 La Crosse affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in La Crosse is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do NICU travel nurses need for Wisconsin assignments?
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. For Wisconsin specifically: Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in La Crosse without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in La Crosse hire NICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in La Crosse that hire Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Gundersen Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, Winona Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open NICU positions in La Crosse.
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