Psychiatric Travel Nurse Salary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Psychiatric travel nurses heading to Baton Rouge.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Psychiatric)
$45/hr
Baton Rouge, LA
Total Weekly Package
$3,189
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,686
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Psychiatric 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
Louisiana Psychiatric Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Psychiatric travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,782
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$92,655
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Psychiatric 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
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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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Baton Rouge
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Psychiatric 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 Psychiatric Travel Nurses in Louisiana
Psychiatric Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years psych experience
- CPI preferred
Louisiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Psychiatric Travel Nurses in Baton Rouge
- Baton Rouge General
- Our Lady of the Lake
- Ochsner Health
Other Specialties in Baton Rouge
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Louisiana Cities for Psychiatric Travel Nurses
Lake Charles
~$38/hr Psychiatric
COL: 95
Monroe
~$38/hr Psychiatric
COL: 95
New Orleans
~$45/hr Psychiatric
COL: 96.8
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Psychiatric travel nurses make in Baton Rouge?
Psychiatric travel nurses in Baton Rouge earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,782/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,189. Annual potential is $92,655 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 Psychiatric travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?
Psychiatric travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years psych experience, CPI 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 Psychiatric travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Baton Rouge that hire Psychiatric travel nurses include: Baton Rouge General, Our Lady of the Lake, Ochsner Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Psychiatric positions in Baton Rouge.
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