Pay rate for new nurses in the south

[sparked]

I'm currently in nursing school and cannot seem to get answers as what the hourly rate for new nurses is in Missouri. Thanks in advance to those who can provide the info.

[NICU_Nightingale, BSN, RN]

I had no idea Missouri was considered "the south"... Consider me enlightened! 😯

[LivinLovinWoman]

Idk about Missouri, but I've heard nurses here in Arkansas start around $20/hr. I bet it's pretty close to that up in Missouri.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I had no idea Missouri was considered "the south"... Consider me enlightened!

The US Census Bureau considers Missouri a part of the Midwest, yet some Missourians consider it the state where the South officially begins.

[mursinary]

That's going to depend where in MO you are. Since you're referring to it as the south, I'm going to assume that you're in the southern part of the state. My first job was in Springfield (8 years ago) in an ICU. My base pay was $17.50/hr. So I suspect that low $20's/hr is probably the norm now, with a few dollars for a night shift diff.

On a different note, I used to get into many an argument as to whether or not MO was part of the south. It's above the Mason-Dixon line and after living in Alabama... it is most definitely not part of the south. Sorry.

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

Base pay in St Louis is about $21 for new grads. Wouldn't consider us the south though!!

[sparked]

I felt as if I were in high school drama club for a moment. I want to thank those who took the time to respond and answer my question regarding pay rate in MO. And for those who want to comment about whether MO is the south or not, that is a whole other thread for discussion as I'm not taking time out of my day to educate at the moment although I wouldn't consider St. Louis part of the south either! Good day!

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

Columbia area for new nurses is about $19/hour. Not sure what part of MO you're looking in. Good luck in your search!

[NevadaFighter, BSN, RN]

I would say that around $20 is pretty accurate.

[Pairofshues]

Most pay new grads $21/hr in the Kansas City metro area.

I moved from Las Vegas to Kansas City this past summer. I had 2.5 years of experience at that time. Was making $30.28 BASE pay at a LV HCA hospital and the HCA hospitals in Kansas and Missouri offered me a BASE pay of $23.63

FYI Kansas and Missouri hospitals do NOT offer differentials for critical care like other states (NV, CA) do.

[PACUpleeze]

Most pay new grads $21/hr in the Kansas City metro area.

I moved from Las Vegas to Kansas City this past summer. I had 2.5 years of experience at that time. Was making $30.28 BASE pay at a LV HCA hospital and the HCA hospitals in Kansas and Missouri offered me a BASE pay of $23.63

FYI Kansas and Missouri hospitals do NOT offer differentials for critical care like other states (NV, CA) do.

I heard that. I moved to KCMO from Vegas 2 years ago...and I can't believe what they pay. I was working at a UHS hospital as a new grad making $32.10/hr +$2.00 night shift differential and had 1.5 year experience when I applied here and They quoted $22.00/hr like I was supposed to jump for joy. My favorite line of all is "Well it's cheaper to live here!" Um, cheaper than California, not Vegas. If you want to live in a decent area, you may be in the early $200's for a house AND MO has state tax, property tax on a vehicle and the shady "vehicle inspections" that are a front for a body shop to think it's Christmas., Vegas has no state tax, so you are getting more money per check. I will deal with it for now, get my experience up before I go back home, where I can command a good $40/hr as base and not have to work agency just to feel like I have a reason to be an RN. My Fiance's contract with KU Med can not end quick enough.

What is more sad than these sorry salaries are all the hard working RN's who defend it. "Hey, It's better than Alabama!" Is not a solid foundation for a salary debate.

[Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP]

I agree, I moved from Missouri to California and cost of living cannot be the reason for pay difference...we have just not said any thing for changes in pay for nurses. The hospital charges the same amount here as there, McDonald's and any other place the price is the same, of course housing is a little more expensive but I promise you I live in a comparable home that I did in Missouri and I paying $500 more a month. I left Missouri making a little over $45,000 a year and I made $40,000 in the first four months of the year. Missouri nurses work just as hard as any other nurse and deserve a fair wage!