Cardiac ICU travel nurse pay

A career as a cardiac ICU travel nurse is a smart choice for those wanting to work in an industry that’s high in demand. Whether you’re a new cardiac ICU travel nurse or an experienced nurse looking to increase your earnings, traveling as a cardiac ICU travel nurse may be one of the most effective ways to increase your pay and skillset. No matter what stage of your travel nurse career you're in, use this guide to learn about current pay trends and benchmarks for cardiac ICU travel nurses. Here, Nomad Health breaks down the ins and outs of cardiac ICU travel nurse pay so you can get a baseline of pay and understand the different factors that influence cardiac ICU travel nurse compensation.

Average cardiac ICU travel nurse pay

Cardiac ICU travel nurse pay can vary depending on compensable factors such as your experience, certifications, and location where you take a travel job. The average weekly total compensation for cardiac ICU travel nurses is about $2,668, including a travel stipend.*

*Based off Nomad Health compensation data for travel cardiac ICU nurses as of September 26th, 2023.

Cardiac ICU travel nurse pay range

Cardiac ICU travel nurse pay ranges can change frequently depending on the facility demand for cardiac ICU nurses. When a facility is short staffed with cardiac ICU nurses, the pay range may increase for that particular specialty. Depending on the facility needs and your experience, the total compensation for cardiac ICU travel nurses is between approximately $1,728-$4,814 per week, including a travel stipend.*

*Based off Nomad Health compensation data for travel cardiac ICU nurses as of September 26th, 2023.

What is the highest cardiac ICU travel nurse compensation?

As of September 26 2023, the highest total compensation for cardiac ICU travel nurses at Nomad is approximately $89 per hour or $4,814 per week, including a travel stipend. Keep in mind that compensation for travel nurses fluctuates based on the needs of facilities, so the highest total compensation for cardiac ICU travel nurses may actually be higher or lower. To see the highest total compensation for cardiac ICU travel nurses today, browse our cardiac ICU travel nurse job board and sort by highest pay.

Factors that influence cardiac ICU travel nurse pay

Cardiac ICU travel nurse pay is influenced by a number of compensable factors, which include but are not limited to:

Cardiac ICU nurse experience

Facilities are always looking for highly skilled cardiac ICU travel nurses with experience under their belt who can start work hitting the ground running. The more relevant experience you have as a cardiac ICU travel nurse, the more willing a facility is to pay you a higher salary for your skills.

Cardiac ICU travel nurse credentials

Obtaining specialized cardiac ICU credentials helps demonstrate your expertise and can be a helpful tool for securing high-paying cardiac ICU travel nurse jobs. Cardiac ICU travel nurses with specialized credentials may have more earning power than those without them.

Facility demand for cardiac ICU travel nurses

When facilities experience cardiac ICU staff nurse shortages, they often rely on cardiac ICU travel nurses to fill those gaps. Depending on the severity of the shortage, cardiac ICU travel nurses may be able to earn higher pay with the facility.

Travel job location

The cost of living in each city and state can directly influence how much facilities can pay travel cardiac ICU nurses. For example, a cardiac ICU travel nurse on assignment in a rural area may earn less than in a big city where the cost of living is higher.

Education

For cardiac ICU travel nurses, achieving the highest level of education available to your specific profession may help open more doors to advanced job opportunities and higher pay.

Variable pay rates

Cardiac ICU travel nurse pay is constantly fluctuating based on factors like facility needs, and seasonality. At times, hourly pay for travelers may be higher or lower than staff workers. Knowing what time of the year cardiac ICU travel nurses are most likely to be in-demand can help ensure you get the highest total compensation available.

Taxes

Taxes are an important factor for consideration when it comes to cardiac ICU travel nurse total compensation. In certain circumstances, cardiac ICU travel nurses without a registered tax home could be responsible for paying taxes on all earned income. Maintaining a permanent tax home could potentially provide tax advantages for travel stipends. We ask that you consult with your tax consultant to understand your specific tax circumstances.

Travel stipends

Travel stipends, also known as per diems, can be a big part of your total pay as a cardiac ICU travel nurse. If you qualify, these travel stipends can help pay for any duplicate lodging and meal expenses that come with living away from your tax home. Travel stipends may also be eligible for tax preferred treatment. Please consult with your tax consultant to better understand your specific circumstances.

Overtime pay

It’s important for cardiac ICU travel nurses to be clear in their contract about hourly rates and how much they will be compensated for overtime hours, which can differ from your base pay rate and/or applicable law.

Completion bonus

Depending on the facility, your cardiac ICU travel nurse job might come with a completion bonus. A completion bonus is a set amount of money a facility will pay you if you complete the full cardiac ICU travel assignment. Facilities that have a hard time retaining cardiac ICU travel nurses and staff nurses tend to offer completion bonuses more often.

Benefits

Benefits are considered an extension of cardiac ICU travel nurse total compensation. Cardiac ICU travel nurses who work with Nomad enjoy a full range of insurance benefits including health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, and participation in Nomad’s 401(k) plan. Nomad also partially reimburses cardiac ICU travel nurses for certifications, licensure, and scrubs.