Cardiac Catheterization Lab Wilmington, NC High Demand

Cath Lab Travel Nurse Salary in Wilmington, North Carolina

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

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (Cath Lab)

$55/hr

Wilmington, NC

Total Weekly Package

$3,343

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,697

After ~29.25% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Cath Lab in Wilmington

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$2,970/mo

$98/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,200/mo

COL index: 102.5

Monthly Margin

+1,770/mo

Stipend covers rent

#32

North Carolina Cath Lab Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Cath Lab travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$2,209

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,134

Annual Potential

$114,892

Tax estimate: 5.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Cath Lab Pay in Wilmington

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Wilmington's GSA rates and cost of living index of 102.5.

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 North Carolina ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.3%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.25%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$74.53

Based on 36 hours in NC.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,683

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,584

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$463

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,220

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$28,856

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$57,712

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$115,423

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,220

per week

Taxes

$463

per week

Total Gross: $2,683 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in North Carolina

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,870

Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.

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Cost of Living Analysis in North Carolina

Monthly Net Income:$9,611
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$8,511

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

Cost of Living Index:96.5

National average = 100. North Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.5 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

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 — Wilmington

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cath Lab travel nurses working in Wilmington. 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 Cath Lab Travel Nurses in North Carolina

Cath Lab Certifications Required

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

North Carolina Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5.25%

Hospitals Hiring Cath Lab Travel Nurses in Wilmington

  • New Hanover Regional
  • Novant Health
  • Pender Memorial

Other Specialties in Wilmington

View full Wilmington pay guide →

Other North Carolina Cities for Cath Lab Travel Nurses

View all North Carolina cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cath Lab travel nurses make in Wilmington?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses in Wilmington earn approximately $55/hr in taxable wages ($2,209/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,343. Annual potential is $114,892 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Wilmington?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Wilmington 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 Wilmington affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Wilmington is 102.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,200/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,770/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do Cath Lab travel nurses need for North Carolina assignments?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cath lab experience, RCIS or equivalent preferred, Sterile field competency. For North Carolina specifically: North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Wilmington without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Wilmington hire Cath Lab travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Wilmington that hire Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses include: New Hanover Regional, Novant Health, Pender Memorial. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cath Lab positions in Wilmington.

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Resources for Wilmington