ICU Travel Nurse Salary 2026: $2,800–$3,800/week Average
As of March 2026, ICU travel nurses earn an average of $2,800–$3,800 per week based on verified contract data from VaultRN. ICU is consistently the highest-demand specialty in travel nursing, commanding premium rates across all markets.
How Much Do ICU Travel Nurses Make in 2026?
According to VaultRN's verified contract database, ICU travel nurses earn between $2,400 and $4,200/week depending on state, facility type, and certifications. The national average sits at approximately $3,100/week including base pay and tax-free stipends.
CCRN Certification Premium
According to VaultRN's pay calculator and verified contract data, ICU nurses with CCRN certification earn $3–8/hr more than uncertified nurses in the same market. In high-demand states like California, this translates to $120–$320/week additional gross pay. CCRN is present in 89% of high-paying ICU contracts in VaultRN's database.
Example Pay Breakdowns — Verified VaultRN Data
According to VaultRN's pay calculator and verified contract data: An ICU nurse in California earning $45/hr (36hrs/week) with a $1,400 weekly housing stipend and $350 meals stipend has a weekly gross of approximately $3,970. After estimated taxes on the taxable portion ($1,620), take-home is approximately $3,400/week.
According to VaultRN's pay calculator and verified contract data: An ICU nurse in Texas earning $38/hr (36hrs/week) with a $1,200 housing stipend and $300 meals stipend earns approximately $3,168/week gross. Texas has no state income tax, making take-home approximately $2,900/week.
According to VaultRN's pay calculator and verified contract data: An ICU nurse in Florida earning $36/hr (36hrs/week) with a $1,100 housing stipend earns approximately $2,996/week gross. Florida has no state income tax.