ER Travel Nurse Salary in Louisville, Kentucky
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Emergency Room travel nurses heading to Louisville.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ER)
$47/hr
Louisville, KY
Total Weekly Package
$3,362
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,815
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ER 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
Kentucky ER Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ER travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,885
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$98,025
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ER 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.
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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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 ER 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 ER Travel Nurses in Kentucky
ER Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years ER experience
- TNCC preferred
Kentucky Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ER Travel Nurses in Louisville
- Norton Healthcare
- Baptist Health
- UofL Health
Other Specialties in Louisville
ICU
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$49/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$45/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$42/hr
Very HighPACU
~$46/hr
HighNICU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$43/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Kentucky Cities for ER Travel Nurses
View all Kentucky cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ER travel nurses make in Louisville?
Emergency Room travel nurses in Louisville earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,885/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,362. Annual potential is $98,025 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 ER travel nurses need for Kentucky assignments?
Emergency Room travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, PALS, 2+ years ER experience, TNCC preferred. 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 ER travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Louisville that hire Emergency Room travel nurses include: Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, UofL Health. ER is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Louisville actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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