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VA Paycheck Calculator

Calculate your exact biweekly take-home pay as a VA employee. Supports Title 38 Full, Title 38 Hybrid, and General Schedule roles with accurate federal tax, state tax (all 50 states), FICA, FERS, FEHB, and TSP deductions.

Enter Your VA Pay Details

Typical self+1 FEHB premium. Set to 0 if waived.

0–100. Federal limit $23,500/yr ($31,000 if age 50+).

Title 38 Full employees are exempt from Social Security (OASDI)

Under 26 USC §3121(b)(6), Title 38 Full physicians, dentists, and registered nurses pay only Medicare (1.45%) — not the 6.2% Social Security tax. On a $90,000 salary, that’s about $5,580/year in additional take-home compared with a GS employee at the same pay. Title 38 Hybrid and GS employees pay full FICA.

VA Pay by Role — Reference Table

Pre-computed biweekly take-home for common VA roles. Assumes DC locality, single filer, FERS-FRAE 4.4%, standard FEHB self+1 premium ($280 biweekly), and TSP at 5%. Values are illustrative — your offer letter, locality, and elections will shift the numbers.

Estimated annual pay for common VA roles
RoleModePay bandAnnual grossAnnual take-home*
RN (Nurse Grade III, Step 5)Title 38 FullGrade III$95,881$64,532
Pharmacist (GS-12, Step 5, DC)Title 38 HybridGS-12$116,071$69,388
Physician (Base $150K + Market $80K)Title 38 FullMarket Pay$95,881$64,435
Physician (Base $150K + Market $80K)Title 38 FullMarket Pay$230,000$143,118
Social Worker (GS-11, Step 5, DC)Title 38 HybridGS-11$96,843$59,010
IT Specialist (GS-12, Step 5, DC)GSGS-12$116,071$69,388
HR Specialist (GS-9, Step 5, DC)GSGS-9$80,041$49,794
Police Officer (GS-7, Step 5, DC)GSGS-7$65,435$40,465

*Computed with 2026 IRS withholding tables (Pub 15-T), $15,000 standard deduction for single filers, $176,100 OASDI wage base, and 1.45% Medicare (plus 0.9% surtax above $200K). Title 38 Full modes skip the 6.2% Social Security deduction. Run your specific numbers with the calculator above.

VA Benefits: The Total Compensation Picture

FEHB Health Insurance

VA pays roughly 72% of your FEHB premium. At a standard self+1 plan ($280 biweekly employee share), the employer contribution is about $490/biweekly — roughly $12,740/year in additional value.

FERS Pension

VA contributes about 17.4% of your salary toward your FERS defined-benefit pension (separate from your 4.4% employee contribution). On a $115,000 salary, that’s roughly $20,000/year in employer pension funding you don’t see in your paycheck.

TSP Match

VA matches the first 3% of your basic pay dollar-for-dollar and adds another 1% agency contribution — total 4% employer match on the first 5%. On $115,000, that’s about $4,600/year in free money toward retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do VA employees pay Social Security tax?
It depends on your pay system. Title 38 Full employees (physicians, dentists, and registered nurses appointed under 38 U.S.C. § 7401) are exempt from Social Security (OASDI) under 26 USC §3121(b)(6) and pay only Medicare (1.45%). Title 38 Hybrid employees and GS employees pay the full 6.2% Social Security tax on wages up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2026).
How is a VA nurse paycheck calculated?
A VA nurse’s biweekly pay is computed from the VHA Nurse Pay Schedule (VHA Directive 5005, Appendix G-6). The schedule has 5 grades (I–V) by experience and credentials, and 15 steps within each grade. Once base annual pay is determined, your locality adjustment is applied on top, then standard payroll deductions (federal tax, state tax if applicable, FERS pension, FEHB if enrolled, and any TSP contributions).
What is the Title 38 pay system and who does it apply to?
Title 38 of the U.S. Code governs VA health-care personnel pay. Title 38 Full employees (physicians, dentists, RNs, and other hybrid-title staff) are paid on occupation-specific schedules set by VHA Directive 5005 and are exempt from Social Security withholding. Title 38 Hybrid employees are paid on the GS scale but retain certain Title 38 pay authorities — and they pay full FICA.
Does Virginia state income tax apply to VA federal employees working in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia taxes the federal salary of any VA employee who lives or works in Virginia. Your VA pay is treated as regular wage income for Virginia purposes. You can file a Virginia Form 760. Federal employees stationed in Virginia do not get a special exemption from Virginia income tax.
How do I calculate my VA paycheck after taxes?
Use the calculator above. Pick your pay system (Title 38 Full, Hybrid, or GS), enter your grade/step or salary, choose your locality and state, then enter your filing status and any pre-tax deductions (FEHB premium, TSP contribution). The tool applies federal withholding tables, your state’s brackets, the appropriate FICA treatment, your FERS pension contribution, and your take-home pay — all in real time.
What is the FERS deduction on my VA paycheck?
FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) is the mandatory pension contribution. FERS-FRAE (hired 2014 or later) contributes 4.4% of basic pay each pay period. FERS-RAE (hired in 2013) contributes 3.1%. Legacy FERS (hired before 2013) contributes 0.8%. FERS is post-tax — it does not reduce your federal taxable income.
How much is taken out of a GS-12 VA employee paycheck in 2026?
A GS-12 Step 5 employee in the Washington-Baltimore locality (DCB, 33.94% adjustment) earns about $116,070 annualized gross in 2026. After 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare, federal income tax with the $15,000 standard deduction, FERS-FRAE 4.4%, and DC state tax (no FEHB, no TSP), typical biweekly take-home lands near $3,000. Adding FEHB and TSP contributions brings it down further.
Do VA employees in Texas pay state income tax?
No. Texas has no state income tax, so VA employees working in Texas do not pay state income tax on their federal wages. You still pay federal income tax, FICA, FERS, and any TSP or FEHB elections. The calculator automatically returns $0 state tax when you pick Texas.
What is locality pay and how does it affect my VA paycheck?
Locality pay is an adjustment applied to GS and Title 38 Hybrid base pay to reflect cost-of-living differences across metropolitan areas. OPM publishes 53 locality pay areas; the adjustment ranges from about 17% (lowest) to 41% (highest in San Francisco) above base. Title 38 Full nurses do not receive a separate locality adjustment — their nurse pay schedule is set nationally.
How do I calculate overtime pay on my VA paycheck?
Federal overtime is paid at 1.5× your regular hourly rate for any hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week (Title 5). FLSA-exempt employees (most GS-12 and above) generally do not earn overtime. This calculator models straight-time biweekly pay only — your agency’s OT policy, FLSA exemption status, and shift differentials determine whether and how much OT pay you receive on top of base.

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only. For personal financial advice, consult a licensed professional. Actual results may vary based on individual circumstances and current market conditions.