Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Lake Charles.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$38/hr
Lake Charles, LA
Total Weekly Package
$2,635
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,211
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Lake Charles
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Louisiana Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,501
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$78,057
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Lake Charles
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lake Charles's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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 — Lake Charles
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Lake Charles. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Louisiana
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Louisiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Lake Charles
- Lake Charles Regional Medical
- Lake Charles General Hospital
- Community Health Lake Charles
Other Specialties in Lake Charles
ICU
~$43/hr
Very HighER
~$42/hr
Very HighOR
~$44/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$41/hr
HighPACU
~$41/hr
HighNICU
~$42/hr
HighPICU
~$43/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$38/hr
ModerateOncology
~$40/hr
HighOther Louisiana Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Baton Rouge
~$44/hr Med-Surg
COL: 92.5
Monroe
~$38/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
New Orleans
~$44/hr Med-Surg
COL: 96.8
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Lake Charles?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Lake Charles earn approximately $38/hr in taxable wages ($1,501/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,635. Annual potential is $78,057 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lake Charles?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lake Charles are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Lake Charles affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Lake Charles is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Louisiana specifically: Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Lake Charles without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Lake Charles hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lake Charles that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Lake Charles Regional Medical, Lake Charles General Hospital, Community Health Lake Charles. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Lake Charles actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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