New Grad Starting Salary

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Hi All,

I was just wondering what starting salary is for New Grads across the US. I am interested mostly in the Northern States (New York, New Jersey, Illinois), the Atlanta Market, TX, D.C., and California, but am curious about all areas.

Also, has anyone had any Travel Nursing experience? What is that like (i.e. pay, benefits, difficulty of the job, etc...)?

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

"Texas" is not homogeneous. There is a great deal of geographic variability across our state.

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Hi HouTx,

What area are you in? Any info for your specific area? I would love to work in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. Also, any idea as to what LVN/LPN salary is?

Thanks,

Anthony

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

I think I can speak for Florida. I've heard it's really difficult to get a job in certain areas of the Sunshine State. The highest rate I've heard of for a new grad is $24/hr. I was offered $21-$23/hr depending on the floor I am accepted to (I need to pass tests and stuff) and there's a group of hospitals in the area that pays their new grads $19.90/hr.

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Thanks for your reply WannaBNursey. I actually live in Florida, so that is good information to know. What areas of the state have you applied to? Which departments have you found pay the most? Not that it's all about money. ..I actually want to be in Critical Care.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

When I started in CT last year it was $28/hr

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Nice Jordinriess. What area of nursing did you enter into? What's the cost of living like in CT? Are you ADN or BSN prepared?

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
Thanks for your reply WannaBNursey. I actually live in Florida, so that is good information to know. What areas of the state have you applied to? Which departments have you found pay the most? Not that it's all about money. ..I actually want to be in Critical Care.

I live on the West coast south of Tampa, north of Fort Myers. I got a job at the hospital I worked at as an aide. I applied to other hospitals, but they offered few options more attractive than where I currently work, and the pay was frankly insulting.

Critical care areas usually pay the most because you need to know more. Your job is usually harder, you're responsible for more delicate patients. That said, new grads are rarely hired in critical care anymore. You're very lucky to get hired into an IMCU (ICU stepdown?) a friend I graduated with was offered a job in an ED after she passes NCLEX, but that's a rarity. I have seen applications for critical care internships, but not in my area.

Good luck to you! Some areas in Florida really do have actual shortages! Check out rural hospitals if you can.

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For the Washington D.C. area the starting salary is $25-$30/hr for RN's.

I recently moved from Pensacola FL and hospitals in the area were paying about $19/hr for new grads.

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Wow Uncle Rico,

I was thinking about going to DC to obtain my Bachelors. I can't believe Pensacola offers rates like that. I know some smaller areas in Alabama only start at 17.50

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Hi All,

I was just wondering what starting salary is for New Grads across the US. I am interested mostly in the Northern States (New York, New Jersey, Illinois), the Atlanta Market, TX, D.C., and California, but am curious about all areas.

Also, has anyone had any Travel Nursing experience? What is that like (i.e. pay, benefits, difficulty of the job, etc...)?

Thanks in advance.

You may find this thread helpful. https://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=909434

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I'm in northern Jersey. I started at $28 in a nursing home.

Friends started at $32 in the hospital. depends where you go.

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