Is $30/hr a livable wage for a single person in Southern CA? Any salary info appreciated!

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I'm a new grad (no job & still awaiting licensure by endorsement in CA) just looking for some more information on livable salary. I grew up in Southern CA but moved out of state 5 years ago for school; I recently returned to (hopefully) start my career here. When I left I was only 20 and still living with family so I don't have a great sense of a livable wage here although I do have a relatively solid grasp on rent/cost of living through research.

With the job market being so competitive for new grads, I am willing to take just about any job for the first year. It is looking like one of my options may be a small hospital in Orange County that I have heard pats $30/hr. I have entered this wage into all kinds of online calculators but I would really love to hear from some real people!

If your wage is $30/hr in CA and you work full time, what do you take home after taxes each month? Do you find it manageable to pay rent, bills, etc? I am single and have no children.

If you make more or less, I'd still really love to hear your responses. Any information is super helpful as I try to gauge what I will be able to afford for rent and general expenses.

Thank you in advance for responding and for all the helpful information on allnurses!!

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$30 per hour is $60 K per year. Yes, you can live on that in SoCal if you are careful. It will help if you have a room mate. Your take home pay should be about 70% of what you earn. Take a look at rentals in the area to see what your main expense will be.

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Thank you for your helpful reply! Being a new grad, I'm uncertain what kind of hours to generally expect on a paycheck (like if 36 usually becomes 40 etc) and didn't calculate any overtime pay but I'm sure this differs by facility. Either way, 60k is more than I came up with!

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A quick rule of thumb to calculate your annual pay based on hourly rate, if you are working 40 hours per week is hourly rate x 2,000. If you work 36 hours a week, that is what you get paid for.

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Specializes in ICU.

why not just live with your family since your from the area. 30 an hour sure. You can make it unemployed if you have the proper savings.

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Depends on where you are living in Orange County. I agree with living with family, if they are close. Save some money, then move out on your own. If not, find a roommate and share the costs. Do you have a car payment, student loans, or credit card debt? If not, you should be ok with a roommate.

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Hi! In Orange county, it will be tough, but I've lived off of less! I'd also recommend staying with family. If this is not possible, 60k is a great salary for a *single* and frugal person in So. Cal. Like I said, I live off far less lol. Good luck!

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Thanks for all your responses!! I am single and frugal so it looks like I'll be able to make it work. Living with family isn't an option unfortunately (mom lives in senior community so I can only stay temporarily) but I've seen places in north Orange County that seem affordable

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Specializes in 10yrs EMT experience. Current Phlebotomist.

If it is just you, get a studio or a 1 bedroom. You can find some around but make sure you look at the areas but you can find some. I was taking care of my 2 daughters and lived in a 2bedroom 2 bath in LA County in an ok area of Hawthorne. Orange County I am sure you can find something. My God daughter and her mom lived in Orange County and they do not make anywhere near $60,000.

I also agree with all those who say if you have family where you can stay then do it. You can save money and not pay all the costs of renting a place. Pitch in on the bills with them and keep yourself fed and you will be alot better off to be able to get through school without wondering about household bills.

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Specializes in ICU.
Thanks for all your responses!! I am single and frugal so it looks like I'll be able to make it work. Living with family isn't an option unfortunately (mom lives in senior community so I can only stay temporarily) but I've seen places in north Orange County that seem affordable

ok, well you can still make it on that.

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It's possible to get by. You're young and single. You can find a nice studio and keep your costs low. Live like a student for the next year. You should be able to get some saving done as well if you're conservative. I know ppl living on less in L.A. and not in poverty either. So yes it is possible. That figure does seem low for socal though. I'm a new grad as well and I work as a care partner(which is like a cna)for UCLA and with differential I'm making close to that. You went to nursing school so you deserve more! Take it but keep looking!í ½í¸Š

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