Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale Salaries

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

There are many threads on pay rates in Florida - please use "search".

The pay rates are considerably lower. Even accounting for difference in taxes, and cost of living, I have done better in New York.

angel_82 · Jun 29, 2006

I have reviewed those threads previously, but didnt hear any feedback on fort lauderdale. I am aware of the low pay and I think its ridiculous. and some areas of south Florida is not cheap based on area.

NurseguyFL · Jun 29, 2006

I am in the south Florida area, which includes Fort Lauderdale and Boca, so maybe I can offer some useful info. First of all, what do you mean by "entry-level"? Are you a fresh new grad with no experience at all, or are you a recent grad with some experience? It makes a difference because if you are totally green some hospitals will offer you the lowest rate.

The private hospitals in the area are hiring new grad nurses at around $19.00-20.00 per hour. The North Broward District Hospitals and the Memorial Healthcare System hospitals start new grads in the low $20s. Not too sure what Tenet is doing these days, but I've heard of $18 and change at a couple of the HCA hospitals. Not long ago I heard that Boca Raton Community Hosp was also paying in the low 20s. If you work nights and weekends you can make anywhere from about $3-6 more per hour. Some are also offering new grad sign-on bonuses ranging from $1500 to $5000.

Do your research before you decide to move here though. Carollady is right, the money you are going to make here is much less than you can make in New York, even though you won't pay state taxes in Florida. The cost of living here is very high compared to the rate of pay.

PM me if you need more info.