what is the top rate of pay for an RN in the states?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

It also depends greatly on the location and the cost of living.

RNs in San Francisco tend to earn more than $50 per hour, but the cost of living is one of the highest in the US. A decent house will cost $700,000+ unless you commute to a less desirable city. Expect to pay $1,500+ monthly in rent for a studio apartment.

On the other hand, RNs in some of the Southeastern states tend to earn less than $25 per hour. However, decent houses can be purchased in many of these states for less than $100,000. A studio apartment can be had in many of these states for about $400 per month.

Jenni811, RN · Aug 11, 2011

i got a job offer at a hospital in Rhode Island for $60/hour.

Nurses in my area make about 25-40/hour. More experience=more pay.

Cost of living here is next to nothing. My fiance and i just purchased a 4 year old, 5 bedroom house, 2 acres, fenced in yard, 3 car garage, pool for about 120,000. The apartment we rented prior, was in a building 5 years old, 3 bedroom, yard, 2 car garage, dogs/cats allowed with monthly payments,great neighborhood, LOTS of space for $500/month. This included water/trash removal. We only had to pay cable/internet and electricity.

When my fiance was in college, we did a long distance relationship and he was living out west where he had to pay $1,500/month for rent.

brielle776 · Aug 11, 2011

i got a job offer at a hospital in Rhode Island for $60/hour.
Nurses in my area make about 25-40/hour. More experience=more pay.
Cost of living here is next to nothing. My fiance and i just purchased a 4 year old, 5 bedroom house, 2 acres, fenced in yard, 3 car garage, pool for about 120,000. The apartment we rented prior, was in a building 5 years old, 3 bedroom, yard, 2 car garage, dogs/cats allowed with monthly payments,great neighborhood, LOTS of space for $500/month. This included water/trash removal. We only had to pay cable/internet and electricity.
When my fiance was in college, we did a long distance relationship and he was living out west where he had to pay $1,500/month for rent.

Lucky! I want to live where you were renting for $500 a month lol. I have a one bedroom and pay $950 in FL. :uhoh3:

rightintwo · Aug 11, 2011

It also depends greatly on the location and the cost of living.
RNs in San Francisco tend to earn more than $50 per hour, but the cost of living is one of the highest in the US. A decent house will cost $700,000+ unless you commute to a less desirable city. Expect to pay $1,500+ monthly in rent for a studio apartment.
On the other hand, RNs in some of the Southeastern states tend to earn less than $25 per hour. However, decent houses can be purchased in many of these states for less than $100,000. A studio apartment can be had in many of these states for about $400 per month.

wow, a studio apt for $400 a month? Wish things were that cheap here, but I guess it's all relative

Zen123 · Aug 11, 2011

600 a month water+ heat incl. 2 bedrooms/ dishwasher/ bath+ 1/2. Patio. Excellent school system.

juliemjkim · Aug 11, 2011

in buffalo RNs (no experience) make about 26-30 an hr depending on the hospital. the cost of living is farily cheap here. in NYC they make about 74000 annually.

vanburbian · Aug 11, 2011

Wow...$ 60/hour seems very generous. Do you work in cath lab??

Portland Or metro area generally ranges 40 to 48 bucks an hour at my "experience" level (22 years) for general med surg/OR/ED/ICU etc. direct care nursing, day shift.

Some hospitals are union and they will be at higher end. Shift diff anywhere from 2 to 6 dollars an hour for nights/weekends, generally 10 to 15% bonus for on call/per diem staff.

Cost of living is moderately high, rent 2 BR apt/condo in decent area would be ~900-1100 month. Not San Fran, but trendy due to loads of outdoor activities.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

Small retirement town in central TX- 600$= 2 bdrm 2bath- utilities including cable (except electric and phone)- 1000sq ft. Hourly rate around 20.00 (8 yrs ago)...but cost of living + no state income tax = good living conditions Onsite laundry and pool. Some had exercise rooms and gated entry.

Guest505077 · Aug 11, 2011

thanks everyone, quite an eye oipener!

johwiklundRN · Aug 11, 2011

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/apa/sfc?query=&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=1500&bedrooms=

SF is really not as expensive as this website always makes it out to be....LOL... its just like any other modern city. Plus factor in that you probably won't need a car / car insurance living in the city. Nurse pay is so high here because CNA (California Nurses Association, - the biggest union in nursing - is in Oakland - right across the bay) The Bay Area values nurses and pays them well, but the cost of living really isn't so limiting at least it doesn't have to be.

handyrn · Aug 11, 2011

Small retirement town in southwest Texas. I bought my house (3 bedroom, 2 bath) for $20,000 and I make $32/hr. When I lived in South Dakota $25 and hour was generous. Those people making $25 an hour were working temp agencies. The usual rate was around $20.