Considering a relocation to Florida

U.S.A. Florida

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Hello everyone

I am considering a relocation to Florida, the Tampa area and have called about 6 hospitals so far...the two that actually gave me a # on per hour rate said 20 dollars. Is that right? Is the average hourly rate for an RN in Florida in this area 20 dollars? I did a cost of living calculator online and according to it in order to not feel any difference in florida as compared to where i am now, which is NY/NJ, I would have to make 48 thousand a year, unfortunately 20 dollars an hour does not cut it. I really want to go, my family is down there but I'm scared that if I go I might get hit really hard :o . Can anyone tell me what you might know about hospitals and salary in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. And about nursing in general and what you think of a 20 dollar per hour salary. Thank you, emails would be appreciated, my email is [email protected].

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

It's usually based on experience. Unfortunately the salary is in the low 20s. Someone recently posted a salary of 24/hr for 10 years of critical care experience. No way no how will you get NY/NJ wages in Florida, esp. Tama Bay. Working per diem and for an agency pays more.

You need more compelling reasons other than salary to pack up and move to Florida.

The only good thing is there is no state income tax taken out. The cost of living has soared the last couple of rears due to the rising cost of real estate. You used to be able to get bang for your buck here, but not anymore.

Good luck.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Please review the many, many, many threads on this topic by using the "search" option.

Florida pay rates are low indeed, and the lack of state income tax, isn't all that great a deal.

Florida is one of the more poorest paying states. It also does not respect or support its nurses. And the cost of living has risen dramatically in the past two years. The cost of a home has gone up, even here in Charlotte County, dramatically. The impact fee, one of the lowest in the state $2,000 was recently increased to $5,000 for every new house. Our school systems are not to the same standards as other states. Class size is mandated, by law, but it has not been enforced. Special education classes are frequently overcrowded. Food is equal to other parts of the country. Heating is not that expensive but you have to air condition 8 or 9 months out of 12. For a 970 sq foot, $175 per month.

I would consider other options before moving down here.

Grannynurse:balloons:

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU~CCRN,CNRN.
Florida is one of the more poorest paying states. It also does not respect or support its nurses. And the cost of living has risen dramatically in the past two years. The cost of a home has gone up, even here in Charlotte County, dramatically. The impact fee, one of the lowest in the state $2,000 was recently increased to $5,000 for every new house. Our school systems are not to the same standards as other states. Class size is mandated, by law, but it has not been enforced. Special education classes are frequently overcrowded. Food is equal to other parts of the country. Heating is not that expensive but you have to air condition 8 or 9 months out of 12. For a 970 sq foot, $175 per month.

I would consider other options before moving down here.

Grannynurse:balloons:

Granny...you took the words right out of my mouth. I'm in Fort Myers and have never seen anything like it. Actually the cost of living in Northport is not too bad. These days with the housing leveling off, you can actually find something decent for around $200K....But still the pay here is nothing like I've ever seen. It's disappointing!

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