Travel Nursing · Pay Calculator
Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses Pay Calculator — 2026
Labor & Delivery travel nurses are consistently in demand as hospital birth volumes are unpredictable and L&D floors require highly specialized skills. Total weekly packages typically run $2,000–$2,900.
Typical weekly package
$2,274–$3,750
Taxable hourly rate
$34–$50/hr
Housing stipend
$800–$1600/wk
Demand
High
Your true take-home breakdown
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Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses: Pay, Demand & What to Expect
Typical pay breakdown
Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses travel contracts typically include a taxable hourly rate of $34–$50/hour (W-2 wages), plus tax-free housing stipends of $800–$1600/week and M&IE stipends of $250–$350/week. The total package ranges from $2,274–$3,750/week before taxes.
The tax-free stipends are the key to travel nursing's earning power. Because housing and M&IE stipends are not subject to federal income tax or FICA (when IRS and GSA rules are met), your effective take-home pay is significantly higher than a staff nurse earning a similar gross salary. The calculator above shows your exact after-tax take-home based on your specific contract details.
Hot markets
The highest-paying labor & delivery travel nurses contracts are currently concentrated in: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia. Pay varies significantly by state — California contracts are often 20–40% higher than the national average due to mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios and high cost of living.
Strategy tip
L&D travelers who can scrub for cesarean sections and manage high-risk OB (placenta previa, pre-eclampsia, twins) have significantly more contracts available. Comfort with internal fetal monitoring, labor induction management, and epidural assistance are baseline expectations at most facilities.
Tax-free stipend eligibility
To receive housing and M&IE stipends tax-free, you must maintain a bona fide tax home — a permanent residence you return to and have ongoing costs for (rent, mortgage, utilities). The IRS considers whether you are duplicating living expenses away from home. Working in your home metro for more than 12 months may disqualify your stipends. The calculator's GSA compliance and tax-home risk sections flag these scenarios automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do L&D travel nurses make?
Labor and Delivery travel nurses typically earn $2,000–$2,900/week total. Taxable hourly rates are $34–$50. California L&D travelers often see higher packages due to the state's strong staffing ratios and high cost of living. L&D rates are generally slightly below ICU/OR but still well above med-surg.
Do L&D travel nurses need to handle C-sections?
Most L&D travel contracts expect scrub and circulate ability for cesarean sections. Some positions allow you to be paired with a staff nurse for the first few shifts, but you should be comfortable with OR-adjacent tasks. Facilities expect travelers to function independently faster than staff orientees.
Is L&D a year-round specialty for travel nursing?
Yes — birth volumes don't have a strong seasonal pattern, making L&D a consistent year-round specialty for travelers. Some facilities have slightly higher demand in spring and summer (due to holiday conceptions), but no sharp off-season the way some elective-procedure OR specialties experience.
Other travel nurse specialties
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