Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?

vblaides · Oct 14, 2009

Hi sonny. That's a low pay rate for LA. LA and NY tend to pay in the mid 30's. Taking into consideration your stipend. Is the 1500 a month tax free. Now if it is tax free then your making the average salary for someone in LA or NY. This can be figured out by taking 1500 dividing by 150 hours( which is typically how many hours worked in 1 month on average, 75 hours in a two week period). That calculates to 10 dollars an hour. You add your 25/hr pay rate to 10/hr(stipend)= 35/hr

For a traveller the salary should be higher, and there should be a higher rate for working nights(period). You can negotiate for a higher pay rate. This contract's pay rate seems to be a bit low.

good luck

icu_nursie76 · Oct 16, 2009

Hi Sunny!

You are being low balled. I hope that you have not signed that contract. As you begin you career as a traveler you will see how you have to really heckle the recruiters to get money. It really is ashame that we have to do things like this. For instance my current company wanted to give a LOUSY $400 for travel stipend for coming to San fran all the way from MI. I told them very nicely no way and ended up getting $1000 for travel expenses, which indeed I used every penny of it. Really try and negotiate with your recruiter, because truth is they need you and they don't want to lose the contract!!!

Good Luck!!!

sonnyluv · Oct 17, 2009

Haven't signed yet, thanks for the advice!

icu_nursie76 · Oct 18, 2009

GOOD!!!!! Good luck : )

EmergencyNrse · Oct 18, 2009

Travel to LA should be @ least 600.00/rt

30.00/hr (base not blended) should be average.

If you're new to Cali pay rates Blended means you're expected to be paid time & half after 8hrs. during 12-hr shift.

There should be more $$$ for night shift.

I love the companies that play the "hide the money game"

They offer a low base rate but offer "per-diem" as an additional payment to you tax free. Usually it works out better for them.

You have to do some research about the areas you're going to work in before you accept any housing allocation. They tend to low-ball you there as well. Having them provide housing is usually the way to go. No utilities. You can run your Heat & Air as much as you want.

Negotiate washer & dryer IN your apartment as well. Much more convenient to do laundry @ your leisure. You aren't feeding a coin laundry, you don't have to stick around to make sure someone doesn't steal it, and your clothes won't get stained because the guy in front of you washed all his grease-laden mechanic's clothes in your machine.

Rental Car, Rental Car, Rental Car, Rental Car... Subject to negotiation your recruiter can work it into the contract or they can't. They usually tell you up front but turn down enough contracts and they seem to come up with the money.

A good company and a good recruiter will absolutely maximize your money and benefits out of every contract. If you feel that they're taking advantage of you then you need a new company. Understand they get paid based on your labor. They should be paying you for your efforts not trying to cheat you.

Networking is the key. Talk to as many travelers as you can. Ask them if you mind seeing/comparing their contract. I share my information with everyone I can. It only strengthens your position and empowers YOU to make decisions based on fact not speculation. You are your worst enemy. You need to be self confident enough to manage the negotiation when selecting contracts. You always get 100% of the things you don't ask for...

2TallOH · Oct 25, 2009

EmercengyNrse - with your experience are there any particular agencies that you would endorse or does it depend on the area? I am looking at LA, FL and HI. Thank you.