PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Madison, Wisconsin
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Madison.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$53/hr
Madison, WI
Total Weekly Package
$3,527
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,856
After ~31.65% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU in Madison
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,200/mo
COL index: 102.5
Monthly Margin
+2,801/mo
Stipend covers rent
Wisconsin PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,120
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$110,240
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 Madison
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Madison's GSA rates and cost of living index of 102.5.
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 — Madison
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU travel nurses working in Madison. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
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 Madison
- UW Health
- Meriter Hospital
- SSM Health
Other Specialties in Madison
ICU
~$53/hr
Very HighER
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$54/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$46/hr
Very HighPACU
~$51/hr
HighNICU
~$52/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$47/hr
ModerateOncology
~$49/hr
HighOther Wisconsin Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Appleton
~$44/hr PICU
COL: 95
Eau Claire
~$44/hr PICU
COL: 95
La Crosse
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 88.5
Milwaukee
~$50/hr PICU
COL: 95.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Madison?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Madison earn approximately $53/hr in taxable wages ($2,120/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,527. Annual potential is $110,240 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Madison?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Madison are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Madison affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Madison is 102.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,200/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,801/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 Madison without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Madison hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Madison that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: UW Health, Meriter Hospital, SSM Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Madison.
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