PICU Travel Nurse Salary in Roanoke, Virginia
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Pediatric 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
Avg Hourly (PICU)
$47/hr
Roanoke, VA
Total Weekly Package
$3,203
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,644
After ~29.75% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PICU 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
Virginia PICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PICU 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 PICU 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
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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 — Roanoke
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PICU 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 PICU Travel Nurses in Virginia
PICU Certifications Required
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years PICU experience
Virginia Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PICU Travel Nurses in Roanoke
- Roanoke Regional Medical
- Roanoke General Hospital
- Community Health Roanoke
Other Specialties in Roanoke
ICU
~$47/hr
Very HighER
~$46/hr
Very HighOR
~$48/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$44/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$41/hr
Very HighPACU
~$45/hr
HighNICU
~$46/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$42/hr
ModerateOncology
~$44/hr
HighOther Virginia Cities for PICU Travel Nurses
Alexandria
~$54/hr PICU
COL: 135.5
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
Virginia Beach
~$51/hr PICU
COL: 103.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PICU travel nurses make in Roanoke?
Pediatric 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 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 Roanoke without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Roanoke hire PICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Roanoke that hire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Roanoke Regional Medical, Roanoke General Hospital, Community Health Roanoke. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PICU positions in Roanoke.
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