Labor & Delivery Travel Nurse Salary in California
Calculate your take-home pay as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in California. L&D travel nurses care for mothers and newborns during labor, delivery, and postpartum periods.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Average Hourly Rate
$58/hr
Labor & Delivery in CA
Weekly Gross Pay
$2,310
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$120,120
Working full-time
California Labor & Delivery Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Labor & Delivery travel nurse compensation
California offers moderate Labor & Delivery travel nurse compensation at $58/hr (ranked #6 of 50 states). Demand is steady for this specialty.
Est. Weekly Gross
$3,878
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$3,016
(After 37.3% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$1,083/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $61/hr — $3/hr more than California. Compare →
Calculate Your Labor & Delivery Pay in California
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in California. 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 13.3% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$98.56
Based on 36 hours in CA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,548
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,980
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$739
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,809
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$36,523
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$73,046
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$146,092
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,809
per week
Taxes
$739
per week
Total Gross: $3,548 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,050
≈ $4,547/month
Est. 1BR Rent in California
$2,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,447
Your stipend covers rent with $2,447 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,100/month in San Francisco:
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Cost of Living Analysis in California
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. California's cost of living is higher than the national average by 51.7 points.
💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.
Housing Cost: Very High
Utilities: High
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 California
Labor & Delivery travel nurses in California receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.
Lodging
$150/night
Meals & Incidentals
$79/day
Weekly Stipend Max
$1,603
Requirements for Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses in California
Labor & Delivery Certifications
- BLS
- NRP
- 2+ years L&D experience
- AWHONN preferred
California Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in California
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Hospitals Hiring Labor & Delivery Nurses in California
- UCSF Medical Center
- Cedars-Sinai
- Stanford Health Care
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Labor & Delivery travel nurses make in California?
Labor & Delivery travel nurses in California typically earn between $53 and $70 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $58/hr. This translates to approximately $2,310 per week or $120,120 annually. Labor & Delivery nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.
What are the requirements to work as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in California?
To work as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in California, you typically need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years L&D experience, AWHONN preferred. California is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate California nursing license ($350, takes 4-6 weeks).
What GSA rates apply for Labor & Delivery travel nurses in California?
The GSA per diem rates for California are: Lodging: $150/night, Meals: $74/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. Labor & Delivery travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.
Is California a good state for Labor & Delivery travel nurses?
California has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. Labor & Delivery nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 151.7 (above national average).
Which cities in California have the best Labor & Delivery travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Labor & Delivery travel nurse assignments in California include: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. Major hospitals like UCSF Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai frequently hire Labor & Delivery travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.