Travel Nursing in Virginia
Virginia has an effective state income tax rate of approximately 5.8% on travel nurse wages. Only your taxable hourly wages (not stipends) are subject to this tax. On a $26/hr taxable rate working 36 hours/week over 13 weeks, expect to pay roughly $700 in state taxes for a standard contract.
Remember that tax-free stipends are not subject to state income tax, regardless of which state you work in. A large housing stipend in Virginia produces the same tax-free income as anywhere else — the state tax only applies to your hourly wages.
What to watch out for in Virginia
- Always verify your tax home qualifies under IRS rules before accepting tax-free stipends
- Consider whether the state tax impact is offset by higher agency rates or demand for nurses in Virginia
- Compare total contract net income, not just weekly gross, when evaluating offers
Compare with no-income-tax states: