Cardiac Travel Nurse Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Cardiac travel nurses heading to New Orleans.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Cardiac)
$49/hr
New Orleans, LA
Total Weekly Package
$3,728
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,173
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Cardiac in New Orleans
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$5,547/mo
$183/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 96.8
Monthly Margin
+4,247/mo
Stipend covers rent
Louisiana Cardiac Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Cardiac travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Cardiac Pay in New Orleans
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for New Orleans's GSA rates and cost of living index of 96.8.
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
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
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:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
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.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — New Orleans
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cardiac travel nurses working in New Orleans. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$183/night
$1,281/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,764
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 Cardiac Travel Nurses in Louisiana
Cardiac Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years cardiac experience
Louisiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Cardiac Travel Nurses in New Orleans
- Ochsner Medical Center
- Tulane Medical Center
- LCMC Health
Other Specialties in New Orleans
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
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOther Louisiana Cities for Cardiac Travel Nurses
Baton Rouge
~$49/hr Cardiac
COL: 92.5
Lake Charles
~$42/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Monroe
~$42/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Cardiac travel nurses make in New Orleans?
Cardiac travel nurses in New Orleans earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,728. Annual potential is $102,109 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for New Orleans?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for New Orleans are: Lodging $183/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,764. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is New Orleans affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in New Orleans is 96.8 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$5,547/month, leaving a surplus of $4,247/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Cardiac travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?
Cardiac travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cardiac experience. For Louisiana specifically: Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in New Orleans without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in New Orleans hire Cardiac travel nurses?
Top hospitals in New Orleans that hire Cardiac travel nurses include: Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, LCMC Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cardiac positions in New Orleans.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.