Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Louisville, KY Very High Demand

CRNA Travel Nurse Salary in Louisville, Kentucky

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses heading to Louisville.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (CRNA)

$113/hr

Louisville, KY

Total Weekly Package

$6,015

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$4,699

After ~29% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: CRNA in Louisville

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,304/mo

$142/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,100/mo

COL index: 89.4

Monthly Margin

+3,204/mo

Stipend covers rent

#46

Kentucky CRNA Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for CRNA travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$4,538

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,477

Annual Potential

$235,985

Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your CRNA Pay in Louisville

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Louisville's GSA rates and cost of living index of 89.4.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Kentucky ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$70.53

Based on 36 hours in KY.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,539

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,440

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$418

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,121

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$27,578

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$55,156

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$110,313

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,121

per week

Taxes

$418

per week

Total Gross: $2,539 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Kentucky

$850

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,120

Your stipend covers rent with $2,120 left over each month.

Find apartments under $850/month in Louisville:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Kentucky

Monthly Net Income:$9,186
Average 1BR Rent:$850
True Discretionary Income:$8,336

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:89.7

National average = 100. Kentucky's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.3 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Louisville

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for CRNA travel nurses working in Louisville. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$142/night

$994/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,477

Tax-free stipend ceiling

Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.

Requirements for CRNA Travel Nurses in Kentucky

CRNA Certifications Required

  • CRNA certification (NBCRNA)
  • MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesia
  • 3+ years CRNA experience preferred
  • ACLS
  • BLS

Kentucky Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5%

Hospitals Hiring CRNA Travel Nurses in Louisville

  • Norton Healthcare
  • Baptist Health
  • UofL Health

Other Specialties in Louisville

View full Louisville pay guide →

Other Kentucky Cities for CRNA Travel Nurses

View all Kentucky cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do CRNA travel nurses make in Louisville?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses in Louisville earn approximately $113/hr in taxable wages ($4,538/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $6,015. Annual potential is $235,985 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Louisville?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Louisville are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Louisville affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Louisville is 89.4 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do CRNA travel nurses need for Kentucky assignments?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses need: CRNA certification (NBCRNA), MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesia, 3+ years CRNA experience preferred, ACLS, BLS. For Kentucky specifically: Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Louisville without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Louisville hire CRNA travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Louisville that hire Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses include: Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, UofL Health. CRNA is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Louisville actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Louisville