PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit 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 (PICU)
$43/hr
Lake Charles, LA
Total Weekly Package
$2,854
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,368
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU 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 PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,720
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$89,440
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU 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 PICU 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Louisiana
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Louisiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU 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
HighMed-Surg
~$38/hr
Very HighPACU
~$41/hr
HighNICU
~$42/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$38/hr
ModerateOncology
~$40/hr
HighOther Louisiana Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
View all Louisiana cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Lake Charles?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Lake Charles earn approximately $43/hr in taxable wages ($1,720/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,854. Annual potential is $89,440 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 PICU travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU 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 PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lake Charles that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Lake Charles Regional Medical, Lake Charles General Hospital, Community Health Lake Charles. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Lake Charles.
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