Somebody asked about the 2015 salary poll results:
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What happened to the 2015 Salary Survey Results? Earlier posting said something about 18000 participants...but no results and its almost 2016! It's always very interesting to see how much or little folks are making in other regions of the Country. I think the Salary Threads posted in the past were so much more helpful than sites like Salary Wizard. Would really appreciate it if someone would start one again for 2016!
This got me to thinking. Oaufish is absolutely right. We have not seen the results of the long ago survey yet.
So...as requested, let's start the 2016 salary thread!
Please post
1] state you work/live in
2]Area of nursing you work in and whether you are an LPN, RN, NP or other. Hourly wage, both base and with differentials if they apply. Also include if this is a union facility if you would like.
3] Ballpark Housing costs [rent/mortage payments]. Is the cost of living in your area high or low compared to wages?
OK. I'll start.
WI
RN in LTC/SNF making $28.00/hrs base and $1.50-$3.00/hr shift differential, we are not union
COL is fairly low. My housing costs run about $650 - $700 a month including utilities.
You get paid A LOT relative to your COL, even if the Bay Area is one of the more expensive places to live in the country. And that's an understatement. ESPECIALLY with only 3.5 years experience. Just basing from the posts on this thread, NO ONE makes as much as you do when comparing salary to COL.
Here are some examples from this thread from different parts of the country that you provided numbers as being equivalent to your salary:
Las Vegas your equivalent: $111,000/yr (approx. 56/hr)
Atlanta your equivalent: $103,000/yr (approx. 51/hr)
Honolulu your equivalent: $190,000/yr (approx. 95/hr)
Philadelphia your equivalent: $122,000/yr (approx. 61/hr)
Only one other poster makes as much as you relative to COL, and they are also in the Bay Area:
But that isn't consistent as even other nurses in the Bay Area don't make as much as you two:
I, myself, am in the Los Angeles metro area. Using the same COL calculator you used, an annual salary of $143,009 (or apprx $70/hr) would be equivalent to your $150,000.
With 2 years RN experience (they didn't count my LVN experience), I now make $34.92/hr, $3.75 night, $2.25 weekend, $1.00 BSN.
Friends with 3-4 years experience are making $52/hr base at Kaiser, which I'm sure you know is one of the higher paying hospital systems in California. Still definitely a far cry from $70/hr.
So… pretty much when you compare your salary to COL to anyone else's anywhere, you're EXTREMELY well off. You're probably in the 1 percent of RNs in terms of salary relative to COL relative to experience. I would definitely keep all this in mind should you ever start to think about moving or even just changing facilities
Thanks for the insightful post. The only drawback to my situation is that I can't find a similar set-up anywhere else in the country if I decided to move (not that I would, but the option would be nice). Which brings me to another point- I think rns get paid too little everywhere else for the amount of hard work we do and the liability we take on. Everyone in this field needs a serious pay raise. I'm a complete advocate for stronger unionization elsewhere in the country ,; the CNA collectively raised wages here in northern california. Unionization is the only realistic way that I can see rns in this country bargain for higher and more fair wages.
Sarah, as much as I love the appeal of the city, I've chosen to live in Oakland because of the COL woes that you're experiencing, and am paying less than half of what you pay for housing. I seriously think only individuals making 200k and above a year consistently should be dropping that much money for a place to stay. Perhaps you should consider moving to East Bay or further south in the peninsula (ie Daly city or So San) near the Bart, or get a place with roommates.
2. I've been a RN for 3 years in labor and delivery. Base is $66/hour. 20% differential for nights and 10% for weekend.
3. The worst part is cost of living. I live in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment that cost almost 3k/month. A nice 3 br, 2 bath house can be 900k and up.
Sarah, as much as I love the appeal of the city, I've chosen to live in Oakland because of the COL woes that you're experiencing, and am paying less than half of what you pay for housing. I seriously think only individuals making 200k and above a year consistently should be dropping that much money for a place to stay. Perhaps you should consider moving to East Bay or further south in the peninsula (ie Daly city or So San) near the Bart, or get a place with roommates.
If I may ask what area are you working? Med surg, ER? I'm just curious, Im from the same area but haven't heard of anyone that is new grad making that much
3) My mortgage is $400 for a three bedroom house. Typical in-city rent is around 700-900 for a 1BR (although my last place was a nice 2BR townhome for 700/month in the city. Lucked out.)
Cost of living here is very low. Nurses make less than many places, but expendable income is relatively high because everything is so affordable.
What?! You want to rely on gender diversity for a reason male nurses might make more than female nurses?! Gender diversity in the workforce, excluding minimum wage, no benefit jobs, as these largely are designated to women, is dominated by males. Positions of power, leadership, etc. almost in its entirety dominated by males. I would pipe down about the strengths males bring to the workforce, as the majority of us females, are well aware of the privileges that are afforded to you not based on merit, education, physical strength, etc but solely because of your gender. #endrant #sorryhadto - it saddens me to inform you that still ( 2015 calculations) women make $.79 to the dollar a male makes on the mere standing that she is a woman!
It was just a question based on general curiosity. Why are people so god damn touchy on this website? It's like they take crap at work, then come home to vent to people they can't see in person. You're not informing me of anything, I'm well aware that men make more than women across the board in this country and probably in most other countries as well.
I've heard that SOME people give men an advantage in some floors because of their ability to lift, that's all. Again, it was just a question. All I'm saying is that I've heard that and was wondering if it's true. Salary should be based on your experience and ability to perform your duties. I'm aware that's not always the case though so I was asking about the gender factor when hiring someone.
middleagedRN
18 Posts
Diploma RN. Central Ohio. LTAC. 8 yrs experience. $27 base pay + 15% shift diff for nights+20% weekend diff+ $1.50 charge nurse pay. State benefits/retirement.