Intensive Care Unit Roanoke, VA Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Roanoke, Virginia

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Roanoke.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (ICU)

$47/hr

Roanoke, VA

Total Weekly Package

$3,203

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,644

After ~29.75% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: ICU in Roanoke

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+2,637/mo

Stipend covers rent

#24

Virginia ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,880

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,323

Annual Potential

$97,760

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 Roanoke

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Roanoke's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.

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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Roanoke

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

Lodging

$120/night

$840/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,323

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

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

Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Roanoke

  • Roanoke Regional Medical
  • Roanoke General Hospital
  • Community Health Roanoke

Other Specialties in Roanoke

View full Roanoke pay guide →

Other Virginia Cities for ICU Travel Nurses

View all Virginia cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Roanoke?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Roanoke earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,880/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,203. Annual potential is $97,760 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Roanoke?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Roanoke are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Roanoke affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Roanoke is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/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 Roanoke without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Roanoke hire ICU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Roanoke that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Roanoke Regional Medical, Roanoke General Hospital, Community Health Roanoke. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Roanoke actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Roanoke