ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Louisiana
Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Louisiana. ICU travel nurses care for critically ill patients in intensive care units, requiring advanced skills in life support, monitoring, and critical thinking.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Average Hourly Rate
$47/hr
ICU in LA
Weekly Gross Pay
$1,892
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$98,384
Working full-time
Louisiana ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation
Louisiana's 4.25% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 92.1). ICU travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $950/month, leaving an estimated $880/week in stipend profit.
Est. Weekly Gross
$2,991
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$2,457
(After 28.25% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$880/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $17/hr more than Louisiana. Compare →
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Louisiana
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Louisiana. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$73.53
Based on 36 hours in LA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,647
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,548
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$437
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,210
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,726
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,452
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$114,904
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,210
per week
Taxes
$437
per week
Total Gross: $2,647 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Louisiana
$950
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,020
Your stipend covers rent with $2,020 left over each month.
Find apartments under $950/month in New Orleans:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Louisiana
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Louisiana's cost of living is lower than the national average by 7.9 points.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Louisiana
ICU travel nurses in Louisiana receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.
Lodging
$98/night
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
Weekly Stipend Max
$1,134
Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Louisiana
ICU Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Louisiana Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in Louisiana
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Louisiana
Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Louisiana
- Ochsner Medical Center
- Tulane Medical Center
- LSU Health Sciences Center
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Louisiana?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Louisiana typically earn between $42 and $59 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $47/hr. This translates to approximately $1,892 per week or $98,384 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.
What are the requirements to work as a ICU travel nurse in Louisiana?
To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Louisiana, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Louisiana is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.
What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in Louisiana?
The GSA per diem rates for Louisiana are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. ICU travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.
Is Louisiana a good state for ICU travel nurses?
Louisiana is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. ICU nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 92.1 (below national average).
Which cities in Louisiana have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Louisiana include: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport. Major hospitals like Ochsner Medical Center and Tulane Medical Center frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.