what is the top rate of pay for an RN in the states?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi

what is the top rate of pay for an RN in the states? I know it varies depending where you work, but what would be a ballpark figure?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/apa/sfc?query=&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=1500&bedrooms=

SF is really not as expensive as this website always makes it out to be....LOL... its just like any other modern city. Plus factor in that you probably won't need a car / car insurance living in the city. Nurse pay is so high here because CNA (California Nurses Association, - the biggest union in nursing - is in Oakland - right across the bay) The Bay Area values nurses and pays them well, but the cost of living really isn't so limiting at least it doesn't have to be.

Those prices are considered high in a LOT of markets. I could get 2 1050sq ft 2bdrm 2bath apartments for the cost of some of those. And in TX, you could practically rent the state capital. :D

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

I am not yet a nurse, but I have done some checking and believe here in Las Vegas RN's get paid around $27-$30 an hour-if I am wrong someone please correct me. The housing market right now out here is the lowest it has been in decades. A home that was $300,000 4 years ago in now selling for around $120,000. So I am currently in the process of buying a home as I have been renting for several years. I will save about $400 a month and my MIL is going to be moving in with us and helping with the mortgage-thus making it possible to only work PT when I begin NS. Sorry I got a little off topic:(. But I really enjoy living here and it does appear that the nursing wages are pretty good.

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http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/apa/sfc?query=&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=1500&bedrooms=

SF is really not as expensive as this website always makes it out to be....LOL... its just like any other modern city. Plus factor in that you probably won't need a car / car insurance living in the city. Nurse pay is so high here because CNA (California Nurses Association, - the biggest union in nursing - is in Oakland - right across the bay) The Bay Area values nurses and pays them well, but the cost of living really isn't so limiting at least it doesn't have to be.

Those prices are considered high in a LOT of markets. I could get 2 1050sq ft 2bdrm 2bath apartments for the cost of some of those. And in TX, you could practically rent the state capital.

I was refuting a previous post that was suggesting that you couldn't rent a decent place in SF for less than 1500/MO. .. And even if this were true... When your grossing 8000 a month does it matter? Bottom line SF is probably one of the best places in the country to live work and play, when you factor in a COL, more money is just more money...

:heartbeat

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Here are the wages for nurses at UCSF (San Francisco). Yes the wages are very good. There are a few hospitals in Oakland and other little cities in the East Bay that may even exceed UCSF's wages.

http://ucsfhr.ucsf.edu/index.php/staffing/tpp_detail?titletext=nurse&tier1=1&tier2=2&Perb=&subFOC=

In addition to the high rents, you will be paying for parking at the hospitals which can run between $10 - $25/day. A couple of hospitals in the Bay area have a long waiting list for garage parking so you may have to pay for a private garage (much more expensive) or pay parking tickets if you can not move your car every two hours. Your rent may also not include parking so plan on another $100 - $600/month for a permit or parking spot. Insurance and taxes are high especially for property owners. Renters insurance is not that much but earthquake is a separate policy. If you live or work in the city, many will purchase a bus pass for about $80 dollars and transbay (from outside of SF) is $150. Mass transit in SF is okay but not in Oakland or East Bay. There are also bridge tolls at $6 on the Bay and Golden Gate bridges.

If you are a homeowner, your mortgage is probably around $3500 if you got in at a good time.

Right now is not a good time to be looking for a place to rent in the Bay area. With all the failed mortgages and loss of home ownership, people have moved back to apartment living and what you are probably seeing right now on Craigslist are the least desired apartments which aren't moving well. The good ones have been taken and for a hefty rent.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surge, Ortho.

It depends on where you want to work because clinics and school nursing tends to pay lower. Long Term Care usually pays higher rate i guess due to the amount of patients who are under your care.

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Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.

Many RNs in the Bay area can make over $100,000 a year in the Bay Area out in California. New grads can break the 6-figure mark with over time out there. But like someone else said cost of living is murderously high, a lot of people commute an hour a day to avoid paying $1,500 for a studio apartment.

This is no exaggeration $120,000 is very very common for an RN working full time, and if you factor in overtime you can make much more.

If your looking at Top Pay in the U.S you might want to focus your attention at California. My relatives moved out of New York because the hospitals here in California were willing to pay them more.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/apa/sfc?query=&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=1500&bedrooms=

SF is really not as expensive as this website always makes it out to be....LOL... its just like any other modern city. Plus factor in that you probably won't need a car / car insurance living in the city. Nurse pay is so high here because CNA (California Nurses Association, - the biggest union in nursing - is in Oakland - right across the bay) The Bay Area values nurses and pays them well, but the cost of living really isn't so limiting at least it doesn't have to be.

Dang, that seems expensive to me! I've lived in three large metro areas in the US, and none of them came close to rent prices in that link!

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Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/apa/sfc?query=&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=1500&bedrooms=

SF is really not as expensive as this website always makes it out to be....LOL... its just like any other modern city. Plus factor in that you probably won't need a car / car insurance living in the city. Nurse pay is so high here because CNA (California Nurses Association, - the biggest union in nursing - is in Oakland - right across the bay) The Bay Area values nurses and pays them well, but the cost of living really isn't so limiting at least it doesn't have to be.

I was refuting a previous post that was suggesting that you couldn't rent a decent place in SF for less than 1500/MO. .. And even if this were true... When your grossing 8000 a month does it matter? Bottom line SF is probably one of the best places in the country to live work and play, when you factor in a COL, more money is just more money...

:heartbeat

There are thousands of college students that are able to live and play in SF and most of them live on a tight budget. If you don't mind having a roommate you can split the cost of the apartment and take public transportation ( MUNI ) to the jib site. Everything is within walking distance and SF is very local friendly. Its not like some cities where the prices of food are high because its geared towards tourists.

Like you said you can gross $8,000 a month, I had a friend living there since forever and she only makes half that. She lives the city life, there is always something going on. So if you wanna work and play somewhere SF is a great place to be in.

Think about it college kids live out there...broke college kids...lol im pretty sure you can do it.

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Think about it college kids live out there...broke college kids...lol im pretty sure you can do it.

But then you have to put into perspective the colleges in San Francisco. SF State is very expenive as is St. Mary's. UC Berkeley is not exactly cheap either but Berkeley does have many apartments to accomondate students which some of us who have had our college life in the past would not choose to live in. These are not your typical state universities. Many of the students are from other countries with a significant financial aide incentive along with high income families. Some are on scholarships. Some are head over heels in debt. Some drive cars which cost more than my first house. Those that go to city college where tuition is unbelievably cheap are probably living at home or from one of the lower income neighborhoods. San Francisco also has a few areas which are extremely poor, near toxic waste and plagued with violence. And even there it might be difficult to find a reasonable apartment when adjusted to income.

But yes it is possible to live in the city if you can get by with a small apartment and a bus pass. You also must remember the health insurance issues this city has with employers and those who work for small businesses. There are still a few rent controlled apartments like NYC has which some of the more fortunate might have. But, I can also tell you about living conditions in some neighborhoods like China Town or the Mission which the regular tourist will never see. There are some who think nothing of existing in a small "apartment" with several people and one community bathroom on the floor for 6 - 10 apartments. Overall they are happy just to be where they are if they are with family or when they have no family but lots of friends sharing a building. But, these areas do not get as noticed as Bayview - Hunters Point which is also known as the "invisible majority".

SF has its share of random violent crime especially if you have to use MUNI. But, it is nothing like Oakland which just had a 3 year old gunned down. A lot of this has been happening lately. The gang members seem to be very unskilled with the use of a gun or very near-sighted when it comes to identifying their intended target. After awhile you get tired of hearing "mistaken identity" as if that is an excuse for killing someone.

For an $8000 gross, You'll probably take home $5000 depending on how much you are paying for insurance and withholding. State income tax is a bear here and the state is still broke. A two bedroom apartment will average $1800 -2400. ($3000 - 3500 if buying) Most places don't include electric, gas, water, sewer and trash collection. A car with insurance, $500. Parking $300 extra for rent and $250 at work. Sales tax was 9.5% and dropped to 8.5% but will rise again later this year. Vehicle registration is around $250/yr plus smog checks. Everything can be adjusted proportionately with a lower income and a lower cost of living area. Just 75 miles east the wages are half of what is made in SF with a lower cost of living.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Boston (in the city) Acute Care union........experienced > 10-15yrs around $60.00/hr base. I know of nurses with >15 years making $75.00-80.00/hr. Studio Apt in town.....depending on location 1800-2200+ month no on street parking which can run deeded parking $30,000.00/deed......talk about sticker shock!!!!

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Specializes in ICU, medsurg/tele.
i got a job offer at a hospital in Rhode Island for $60/hour.

Nurses in my area make about 25-40/hour. More experience=more pay.

Cost of living here is next to nothing. My fiance and i just purchased a 4 year old, 5 bedroom house, 2 acres, fenced in yard, 3 car garage, pool for about 120,000. The apartment we rented prior, was in a building 5 years old, 3 bedroom, yard, 2 car garage, dogs/cats allowed with monthly payments,great neighborhood, LOTS of space for $500/month. This included water/trash removal. We only had to pay cable/internet and electricity.

When my fiance was in college, we did a long distance relationship and he was living out west where he had to pay $1,500/month for rent.

A house with that much space/ property in RI? I didnt think they were that inexpensive. I thought the cost of living was pretty average compared to the rest of the country. What city? And I am also surprised to hear of an offer for $60 to someone with 1 yr of experience.

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Specializes in Oncology, Emergency.

Work in the Bay Area but live 40 minutes away with is never a problem since i work nights and there is no traffic. Making approx $ 140,000 a year working 64 hrs per 2 weeks. Mortgage is $ 1200 for a 4 bedroom, 2200 sq ft humble abode and then i live 40 miles away from work which i don't mind the driving. And with union representation there is job security and less bull; but that doesn't mean that you have to be reckless as i have noticed some people to be. I have lived in the Midwest when i used to work 80 hrs a week for $ 18/hr and used to pay $ 355 for a one bedroom apartment. Still dream of buying that waterfront property in Michigan but for now have to work for it. And I'm impressed with that Rhode Island offer of $ 60.

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