PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Monroe, Louisiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Monroe.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$41/hr
Monroe, LA
Total Weekly Package
$2,791
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,323
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Monroe
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 PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,657
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$86,188
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Monroe
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Monroe'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 — Monroe
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Monroe. 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Louisiana
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Louisiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Monroe
- Monroe Regional Medical
- Monroe General Hospital
- Community Health Monroe
Other Specialties in Monroe
ICU
~$43/hr
Very HighER
~$42/hr
Very HighOR
~$44/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$41/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$38/hr
Very HighNICU
~$42/hr
HighPICU
~$43/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$38/hr
ModerateOncology
~$40/hr
HighOther Louisiana Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
Baton Rouge
~$48/hr PACU
COL: 92.5
Lake Charles
~$41/hr PACU
COL: 95
New Orleans
~$48/hr PACU
COL: 96.8
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Monroe?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Monroe earn approximately $41/hr in taxable wages ($1,657/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,791. Annual potential is $86,188 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Monroe?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Monroe 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 Monroe affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Monroe 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 PACU travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Louisiana specifically: Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Monroe without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Monroe hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Monroe that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Monroe Regional Medical, Monroe General Hospital, Community Health Monroe. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Monroe.
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