top states for nursing salaries/jobs?

[twinner05]

Anyone know of these stats ?

[JUSTanLPN]

West coast states have the highest pay from what I understand, however, unless you want to live in the bad parts of Cali the cost of living will make up for the increased pay

[labordude, BSN, RN]

California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, Alaska. Washington (state and D.C. aren't bad), New York city is lower than you'd expect, particularly compared to how expensive it is to live there. Don't just look at total amount per hour though, you have to compare it to cost of living. One area that offers good pay and good cost of living is Houston, TX and there are always tons of jobs posted down there.

Of course, one should consider the environs of where one chooses to spend one's life. I'm rather partial to certain parts of California, Oregon, and Washington and wouldn't care to live in an area with a high relative heat index nor where significant accumulation of snow occurs in the winter.