Cardiac Catheterization Lab Tacoma, WA High Demand

Cath Lab Travel Nurse Salary in Tacoma, Washington

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

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (Cath Lab)

$63/hr

Tacoma, WA

Total Weekly Package

$3,932

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$3,326

After ~24% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Cath Lab in Tacoma

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,001/mo

$132/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,400/mo

COL index: 115.5

Monthly Margin

+2,601/mo

Stipend covers rent

#4

Washington Cath Lab Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Cath Lab travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$2,525

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,407

Annual Potential

$131,305

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 Tacoma

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Tacoma's GSA rates and cost of living index of 115.5.

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 Washington ($840/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

$91.78

Based on 36 hours in WA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,304

Taxable Weekly Income

$2,016

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$484

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,820

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$36,662

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$73,324

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$146,648

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,820

per week

Taxes

$484

per week

Total Gross: $3,304 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Washington

$1,600

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,037

Your stipend covers rent with $2,037 left over each month.

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Cost of Living Analysis in Washington

Monthly Net Income:$12,211
Average 1BR Rent:$1,600
True Discretionary Income:$10,611

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

Cost of Living Index:118.7

National average = 100. Washington's cost of living is higher than the national average by 18.7 points.

Housing Cost: High

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 — Tacoma

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

Lodging

$132/night

$924/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,407

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 Washington

Cath Lab Certifications Required

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

Washington Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $300
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax None

Hospitals Hiring Cath Lab Travel Nurses in Tacoma

  • MultiCare Tacoma General
  • St. Joseph Medical Center
  • VA Puget Sound

Other Specialties in Tacoma

View full Tacoma pay guide →

Other Washington Cities for Cath Lab Travel Nurses

View all Washington cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cath Lab travel nurses make in Tacoma?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses in Tacoma earn approximately $63/hr in taxable wages ($2,525/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,932. Annual potential is $131,305 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Tacoma?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Tacoma are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Tacoma affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Tacoma is 115.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,601/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

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

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

Which hospitals in Tacoma hire Cath Lab travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Tacoma that hire Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses include: MultiCare Tacoma General, St. Joseph Medical Center, VA Puget Sound. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cath Lab positions in Tacoma.

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Resources for Tacoma