ICU Virginia Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Virginia

Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Virginia. ICU travel nurses care for critically ill patients in intensive care units, requiring advanced skills in life support, monitoring, and critical thinking.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$52/hr

ICU in VA

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,068

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$107,536

Working full-time

#24

Virginia ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation

Virginia offers moderate ICU travel nurse compensation at $52/hr (ranked #24 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. High demand means plenty of assignment options.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,356

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,741

(After 29.75% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$988/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $12/hr more than Virginia. Compare →

Calculate Your ICU Pay in Virginia

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Virginia. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

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 Virginia ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.8%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.75%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.75% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$82.78

Based on 36 hours in VA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,980

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,692

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$503

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,477

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$32,196

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$64,392

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$128,785

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,477

per week

Taxes

$503

per week

Total Gross: $2,980 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Virginia

$1,300

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,337

Your stipend covers rent with $2,337 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,300/month in Richmond:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Virginia

Monthly Net Income:$10,724
Average 1BR Rent:$1,300
True Discretionary Income:$9,424

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

Cost of Living Index:103.7

National average = 100. Virginia's cost of living is higher than the national average by 3.7 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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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Virginia

ICU travel nurses in Virginia receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$120/night

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,323

Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Virginia

ICU Certifications

  • ACLS
  • BLS
  • 2+ years ICU experience
  • Critical care certification preferred

Virginia Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Virginia

Tax Information

State Income Tax 5.75%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 103.7
vs National Avg 3.700000000000003% higher
Housing Moderate

Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Virginia

Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Virginia

  • VCU Medical Center
  • Inova Fairfax Hospital
  • Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Virginia?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Virginia typically earn between $47 and $64 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $52/hr. This translates to approximately $2,068 per week or $107,536 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

What are the requirements to work as a ICU travel nurse in Virginia?

To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Virginia, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Virginia is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in Virginia?

The GSA per diem rates for Virginia are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. ICU travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Virginia a good state for ICU travel nurses?

Virginia has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. ICU nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 103.7 (above national average).

Which cities in Virginia have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Virginia include: Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk. Major hospitals like VCU Medical Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.