PACU Travel Nurse Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit 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 (PACU)
$48/hr
New Orleans, LA
Total Weekly Package
$3,691
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,147
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU 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 PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,927
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,764
Annual Potential
$100,218
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 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
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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 — New Orleans
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Louisiana
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Louisiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU 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 HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Louisiana Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
View all Louisiana cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in New Orleans?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in New Orleans earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,927/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,764/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,691. Annual potential is $100,218 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 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 New Orleans without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in New Orleans hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in New Orleans that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, LCMC Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in New Orleans.
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