PACU Virginia High Demand

PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Virginia

Calculate your take-home pay as a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse in Virginia. PACU travel nurses care for patients recovering from anesthesia and surgery, monitoring vital signs and managing post-operative care.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$50/hr

PACU in VA

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,012

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$104,603

Working full-time

#24

Virginia PACU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurse compensation

Virginia offers moderate PACU travel nurse compensation at $50/hr (ranked #24 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. Demand is steady for this specialty.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,300

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,701

(After 29.75% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$988/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $62/hr — $12/hr more than Virginia. Compare →

Calculate Your PACU Pay in Virginia

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Post-Anesthesia 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

PACU 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Virginia

PACU Certifications

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years PACU experience

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 Hospitals Hiring PACU Nurses in Virginia

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

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PACU travel nurses make in Virginia?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Virginia typically earn between $45 and $62 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $50/hr. This translates to approximately $2,012 per week or $104,603 annually. PACU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

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

To work as a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse in Virginia, you typically need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. 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 PACU 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. PACU 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 PACU travel nurses?

Virginia has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. PACU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 103.7 (above national average).

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

Popular cities for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Virginia include: Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk. Major hospitals like VCU Medical Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital frequently hire PACU 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.