Updated June 2026 · 10 min read
Part of the Travel Nursing Hub — browse every related guide in one place.
Travel nursing pay peaked in 2021–2022 and has normalized since. But ICU travel nurses in 2026 are still pulling $120,000–$175,000/year — significantly above staff equivalents. Here's what the real packages look like.
| Specialty | Typical Weekly Package | Annual (48 working weeks) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU / MICU / SICU | $2,400–$3,200/week | $115k–$154k | Highest demand; negotiation room |
| CVICU / CSICU | $2,600–$3,400/week | $125k–$163k | Cardiac surgery premium |
| ER / Trauma | $2,200–$3,000/week | $106k–$144k | High volume, variable demand |
| OR / Perioperative | $2,200–$2,900/week | $106k–$139k | Consistent demand |
| L&D / OB | $2,000–$2,800/week | $96k–$134k | Shortage specialty |
| Med-Surg | $1,600–$2,200/week | $77k–$106k | Lower demand, more competitive |
| Telemetry / PCU | $1,700–$2,300/week | $82k–$110k | Mid-tier demand |
A $2,800/week ICU travel package typically looks like this: $30–$36/hr taxable base (36hrs × $33 = $1,188 taxable) + $1,000–$1,200/week housing stipend + $250–$350/week meals and incidentals stipend. Total: ~$2,700–$2,750/week gross.
The taxable portion (~$1,188) is subject to federal and state income tax. The stipends (~$1,550) are tax-free if you maintain a valid tax home. The effective tax rate on the package is much lower than on a comparable staff salary because such a large portion is non-taxable. A $2,800/week travel package often results in more take-home than a $110,000 staff salary after taxes.
| State | Why It Pays More | ICU Weekly Package Range |
|---|---|---|
| California | Nurse-to-patient ratio law, union density, high COL | $3,000–$4,200/week |
| Alaska | Geographic isolation premium, shortage | $2,800–$3,800/week |
| Washington | Strong unions, high demand in metro areas | $2,600–$3,400/week |
| New York (NYC) | Dense hospital market, high COL premium | $2,600–$3,200/week |
| Texas (no income tax) | High hospital volume, no state income tax | $2,200–$2,900/week (better net) |
| Florida (no income tax) | Year-round demand, retiree population | $2,000–$2,700/week (better net) |
What does $150,000/year travel nursing actually look like? Approximately 48 working weeks at $3,125/week average package. That's 4 contracts of 13 weeks each with minimal gaps. Achievable for a CVICU or high-demand ICU nurse working California or Pacific Northwest markets, negotiating packages rather than accepting first offers, and maintaining a valid tax home to preserve stipend non-taxable status.
The 4-week gap buffer is important. Most travel nurses don't work 52 weeks — contracts end, orientation for the next assignment takes time, and intentional time off between contracts is common. Budgeting on 48 working weeks rather than 52 is realistic. On 46 weeks: $143,750. On 44 weeks: $137,500. Know your actual working week target before committing to a financial plan based on travel income.
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