Cardiac Catheterization Lab New Orleans, LA High Demand

Cath Lab Travel Nurse Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses heading to New Orleans.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (Cath Lab)

$56/hr

New Orleans, LA

Total Weekly Package

$4,019

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$3,382

After ~28.25% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Cath Lab 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

#35

Louisiana Cath Lab Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Cath Lab travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$2,255

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,764

Annual Potential

$117,236

Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Cath Lab 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.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Louisiana ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.3%
Federal: 24%
State: 4.25%

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

Loading chart...

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

Monthly Net Income:$9,568
Average 1BR Rent:$950
True Discretionary Income:$8,618

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:92.1

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 — New Orleans

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cath Lab 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 Cath Lab Travel Nurses in Louisiana

Cath Lab Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years cath lab experience
  • RCIS or equivalent preferred
  • Sterile field competency

Louisiana Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 4.25%

Hospitals Hiring Cath Lab Travel Nurses in New Orleans

  • Ochsner Medical Center
  • Tulane Medical Center
  • LCMC Health

Other Specialties in New Orleans

View full New Orleans pay guide →

Other Louisiana Cities for Cath Lab Travel Nurses

View all Louisiana cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cath Lab travel nurses make in New Orleans?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses in New Orleans earn approximately $56/hr in taxable wages ($2,255/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $4,019. Annual potential is $117,236 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 Cath Lab travel nurses need for Louisiana assignments?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cath lab experience, RCIS or equivalent preferred, Sterile field competency. 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 Cath Lab travel nurses?

Top hospitals in New Orleans that hire Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses include: Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, LCMC Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cath Lab positions in New Orleans.

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Resources for New Orleans