Labor & Delivery Baton Rouge, LA High Demand

Labor & Delivery Travel Nurse Salary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Labor & Delivery travel nurses heading to Baton Rouge.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (Labor & Delivery)

$47/hr

Baton Rouge, LA

Total Weekly Package

$3,298

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,764

After ~28.25% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Labor & Delivery in Baton Rouge

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,001/mo

$132/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,100/mo

COL index: 92.5

Monthly Margin

+2,901/mo

Stipend covers rent

#35

Louisiana Labor & Delivery Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Labor & Delivery travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,891

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,407

Annual Potential

$98,327

Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Labor & Delivery Pay in Baton Rouge

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Baton Rouge's GSA rates and cost of living index of 92.5.

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 Louisiana ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.3%
Federal: 24%
State: 4.25%

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

Loading chart...

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

Monthly Net Income:$9,568
Average 1BR Rent:$950
True Discretionary Income:$8,618

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

Cost of Living Index:92.1

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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Baton Rouge

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Labor & Delivery travel nurses working in Baton Rouge. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$132/night

$924/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,407

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 Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses in Louisiana

Labor & Delivery Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years L&D experience
  • AWHONN preferred

Louisiana Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 4.25%

Hospitals Hiring Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses in Baton Rouge

  • Baton Rouge General
  • Our Lady of the Lake
  • Ochsner Health

Other Specialties in Baton Rouge

View full Baton Rouge pay guide →

Other Louisiana Cities for Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses

View all Louisiana cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Labor & Delivery travel nurses make in Baton Rouge?

Labor & Delivery travel nurses in Baton Rouge earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,891/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,298. Annual potential is $98,327 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Baton Rouge?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Baton Rouge are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Baton Rouge affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Baton Rouge is 92.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,901/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do Labor & Delivery travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?

Labor & Delivery travel nurses need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years L&D experience, AWHONN preferred. For Louisiana specifically: Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Baton Rouge without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Baton Rouge hire Labor & Delivery travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Baton Rouge that hire Labor & Delivery travel nurses include: Baton Rouge General, Our Lady of the Lake, Ochsner Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Labor & Delivery positions in Baton Rouge.

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Resources for Baton Rouge