Medical-Surgical Alexandria, VA Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Alexandria, Virginia

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Alexandria.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)

$47/hr

Alexandria, VA

Total Weekly Package

$3,418

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,857

After ~29.75% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Med-Surg in Alexandria

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,547/mo

$150/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,800/mo

COL index: 135.5

Monthly Margin

+2,747/mo

Stipend covers rent

#24

Virginia Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,885

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,533

Annual Potential

$98,025

Tax estimate: 5.75% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Alexandria

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Alexandria's GSA rates and cost of living index of 135.5.

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 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

Loading chart...

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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Alexandria

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

Lodging

$150/night

$1,050/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,533

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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Virginia

Med-Surg Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

Virginia Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5.75%

Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Alexandria

  • Inova Alexandria Hospital
  • Virginia Hospital Center
  • MedStar Health

Other Specialties in Alexandria

View full Alexandria pay guide →

Other Virginia Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses

View all Virginia cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Alexandria?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Alexandria earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,885/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,533/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,418. Annual potential is $98,025 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Alexandria?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Alexandria are: Lodging $150/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,533. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Alexandria affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Alexandria is 135.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,547/month, leaving a surplus of $2,747/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Virginia assignments?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Virginia specifically: Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Alexandria without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Alexandria hire Med-Surg travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Alexandria that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Inova Alexandria Hospital, Virginia Hospital Center, MedStar Health. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Alexandria actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Alexandria