Cardiac Catheterization Lab Chattanooga, TN High Demand

Cath Lab Travel Nurse Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee

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

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

Chattanooga, TN

Total Weekly Package

$3,427

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,897

After ~24% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Cath Lab in Chattanooga

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,334/mo

$110/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$950/mo

COL index: 85.2

Monthly Margin

+2,384/mo

Stipend covers rent

#43

Tennessee Cath Lab Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Cath Lab travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$2,209

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,218

Annual Potential

$114,892

Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Cath Lab Pay in Chattanooga

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Chattanooga's GSA rates and cost of living index of 85.2.

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 Tennessee ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate24.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 0%

Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$71.53

Based on 36 hours in TN.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,575

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,476

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$354

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,221

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$28,870

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$57,740

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$115,480

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,221

per week

Taxes

$354

per week

Total Gross: $2,575 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Tennessee

$1,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,970

Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,000/month in Nashville:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Tennessee

Monthly Net Income:$9,616
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,616

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

Cost of Living Index:89.0

National average = 100. Tennessee's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

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 — Chattanooga

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cath Lab travel nurses working in Chattanooga. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$110/night

$770/week

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

$448/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,218

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 Tennessee

Cath Lab Certifications Required

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

Tennessee Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax None

Hospitals Hiring Cath Lab Travel Nurses in Chattanooga

  • Erlanger Health System
  • CHI Memorial
  • Parkridge Medical

Other Specialties in Chattanooga

View full Chattanooga pay guide →

Other Tennessee Cities for Cath Lab Travel Nurses

View all Tennessee cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cath Lab travel nurses make in Chattanooga?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses in Chattanooga earn approximately $55/hr in taxable wages ($2,209/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,427. Annual potential is $114,892 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Chattanooga?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Chattanooga are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Chattanooga affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Chattanooga is 85.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $950/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,384/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do Cath Lab travel nurses need for Tennessee assignments?

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

Which hospitals in Chattanooga hire Cath Lab travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Chattanooga that hire Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses include: Erlanger Health System, CHI Memorial, Parkridge Medical. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cath Lab positions in Chattanooga.

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Resources for Chattanooga