New to San Diego RN Hourly Wage

U.S.A. California

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Ok so Im new to San Diego but not new to nursing. I've been an RN for 5years and an LPN for 8years. I have been checking the hospitals out here and trying to figure hourly what they start seasoned nurses at...... I went to an agency and he quotes me 36/hr if sent to Kaiser Permanente or Alvarado some how I get the feeling they are pulling a fast one on me....I need your thoughts and input fellow nurses. what are normal wages here?

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That can't be right ?

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I was thinking the same thing lol!! Im not sure what is appropriate but I dont want to be taken advantage of.

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Are you new to California? What area of nursing?

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I have a strong background in MedSurg but recently have experience from Emergency Department 6mos but due to husband job transferring to California I dont have a full year in this area yet. Im originally from Oklahoma, I dont know if this recruiter was like "Ok" let me see if she will take this....

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If youre full time staff you can expect mid 40s. Really varies on the facility.

You mentioned agency so.. They gotta take a cut and make money somehow.

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If youre full time staff you can expect mid 40s. Really varies on the facility.

You mentioned agency so.. They gotta take a cut and make money somehow.

Correct me if Im wrong but the facility will pay the agency a higher portion for finding or sending me. Where I'm from agency pays higher than the hospitals because there was no benefits and per diem could be spare of the moment a lot of times. The agency also gets a set fee for certain areas of specialty, my thoughts are I know they have over-head but at least come close to what I would have gotten if working for the hospital. I still haven't no benefits, cost of living is up there and I have to take care of my children/childcare. Ijs

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

That seems low. I know that new grads at Kaiser in South Sac (granted, Northern CA has higher pay than southern) start at $69.10/hour (obviously new grads aren't going through an agency).

Have you looked outside of an agency? Make sure it's in your cover letter that you are already planning on relocating. (I assume you have already done all of this, but mentioning just in case)

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I dunno, im never surprised when its a low wage in San Diego, especially something like alvarado. Kaiser had much more influence in the north vs the south, its almost bottom tier. Can't say that I know that for sure but among the staff at UCSD we only compare our institution to sharp and scripps. UC pays more among the major institutions down here as well, but a new grad starts high 30s. That would be a 30 base difference at the least, so I wouldn't really compare it to northern kaisers. The unions are completely different too... I think? If I was up north I'd consider kaiser vs UCSF/UCD, but not down here.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.
That seems low. I know that new grads at Kaiser in South Sac (granted, Northern CA has higher pay than southern) start at $69.10/hour (obviously new grads aren't going through an agency).

Have you looked outside of an agency? Make sure it's in your cover letter that you are already planning on relocating. (I assume you have already done all of this, but mentioning just in case)

San Diego pays significantly less than Sacramento. I've lived in both areas. San Diego should be high 30s/low 40s. It's a competitive market.

And I can assure you the persons making that money are not benefitted. Those are on call positions.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
San Diego pays significantly less than Sacramento. I've lived in both areas. San Diego should be high 30s/low 40s. It's a competitive market.

And I can assure you the persons making that money are not benefitted. Those are on call positions.

True! This was for an on-call position.

I wasn't sure what the pay difference was between northern and southern CA. I knew it was significant, but that seems like a big jump. Hm. Glad I'm up north! :)

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True! This was for an on-call position.

I wasn't sure what the pay difference was between northern and southern CA. I knew it was significant, but that seems like a big jump. Hm. Glad I'm up north! :)

I suppose, if you had the choice of 2 ft positions.. And just looking at money aspect.

Most new grads wouldn't care how much they get paid for that one year experience, let alone be in San diego. Im gonna assume you have family or what not and only looking for acute care positions near home up north ?

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