ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Richmond, Virginia
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Richmond.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$51/hr
Richmond, VA
Total Weekly Package
$3,447
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,840
After ~29.75% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Richmond
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,200/mo
COL index: 95.8
Monthly Margin
+2,801/mo
Stipend covers rent
Virginia ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,040
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$106,080
Tax estimate: 5.75% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Richmond
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Richmond's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.8.
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 — Richmond
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Richmond. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
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 ICU Travel Nurses in Virginia
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Virginia Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Richmond
- VCU Health
- Bon Secours
- HCA Virginia
Other Specialties in Richmond
ER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Virginia Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
Alexandria
~$54/hr ICU
COL: 135.5
Lynchburg
~$47/hr ICU
COL: 95
Newport News
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 93.5
Norfolk
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 94.5
Roanoke
~$47/hr ICU
COL: 95
Virginia Beach
~$51/hr ICU
COL: 103.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Richmond?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Richmond earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,040/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,447. Annual potential is $106,080 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Richmond?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Richmond are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Richmond affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Richmond is 95.8 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,200/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,801/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Virginia assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Virginia specifically: Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Richmond without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Richmond hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Richmond that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: VCU Health, Bon Secours, HCA Virginia. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Richmond actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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