PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Alexandria, Virginia
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Alexandria.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$54/hr
Alexandria, VA
Total Weekly Package
$3,693
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,050
After ~29.75% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU 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
Virginia PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,160
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,533
Annual Potential
$112,320
Tax estimate: 5.75% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PICU 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.
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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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 PICU 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Virginia
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Virginia Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Alexandria
- Inova Alexandria Hospital
- Virginia Hospital Center
- MedStar Health
Other Specialties in Alexandria
ICU
~$54/hr
Very HighER
~$53/hr
Very HighOR
~$55/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$51/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$47/hr
Very HighPACU
~$52/hr
HighNICU
~$53/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$48/hr
ModerateOncology
~$50/hr
HighOther Virginia Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Lynchburg
~$47/hr PICU
COL: 95
Newport News
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 93.5
Norfolk
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 94.5
Richmond
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 95.8
Roanoke
~$47/hr PICU
COL: 95
Virginia Beach
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 103.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Alexandria?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Alexandria earn approximately $54/hr in taxable wages ($2,160/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,533/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,693. Annual potential is $112,320 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 PICU travel nurses need for Virginia assignments?
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, PALS, 2+ years PICU 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 PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Alexandria that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Inova Alexandria Hospital, Virginia Hospital Center, MedStar Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Alexandria.
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