Wages in SoCal/LA

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Specializes in ICU.

I know this has probably been posted before. I just want to make sure, that a tentative offer I have received is decent. Theres a few hospitals in the LA area that my recruiter found, are offering 33.00/hr. For me, that will be just over a dollar pay cut. I have 3 years experience..2 in a large adult ICU. I live in Canada, and I make 34.30/hr, doing 12 hr shifts. Im an skilled in the sense that I run CRRT, comfortable with certifications such as EVD's, pacemakers, swans, being on the Code team ect. Is 33.00/hr for a traveler in the LA, california area reasonable? Or should I at least try to get them to match what im making now? I know the pay is less in SoCal vs NoCal, but ive never worked in the area so I dont know what is the norm.

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Well you do know that US and Canadian dollar not equal right? Or did you adjust for that already?

I do know that one new grad in CA posted that she started at $38/hr and that per diem's were making $50+/hr.

Someone else posted that with the housing the total should equal at least the going per diem rate.

You also must consider that housing is REALLY expensive in CA and the company may be paying 2000-3000$/month for furnished housing for you.

i would ask them both ways, how much if you find own housing and how much if they pay for housing and then determine if it good rate.

it is hard to determine by just your hourly rate, because you have to figure in the housing.

If it is $33/hr and you have to buy own housing then NO that is not good.

If they are buying housing that might be a good rate.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for the reply. Housing is included, and furnished. And no I have not considered that the Canadian dollar is down, so that should help, but who knows where it will be in 1 month. Was just wondering what I should be expecting as I have no clue what the going rate is.

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Specializes in L&D, LDRP, Apheresis.

I'm from SoCal. If you tell which specific hospitals I could give you a better idea. I'm not sure I'd take anything less than about $38 to $40 US plus housing for your specialty. It's pretty expensive around here.

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Specializes in Burn, CCU, CTICU, Trauma, SICU, MICU.
I'm not sure I'd take anything less than about $38 to $40 US plus housing for your specialty. It's pretty expensive around here.

if you find a travel assignment in socal that is paying that much - tell me where! wow!

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I am currently in socal and 33 is the going rate plus housing or stipend...... Not as much as I thought it would be, but....

Good Luck!

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OH, one more thing.... take the stipend, not the housing they give you. By finding your own housing you can save money and take the stipend tax free. You can find an extended stay hotel with free breakfast, weekly cleaning, free internet, utilities included, and all the extras for 50 or so a night..... thats 1500n a month....and the rest is in your pocket tax free.....

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OH, one more thing.... take the stipend, not the housing they give you. By finding your own housing you can save money and take the stipend tax free. You can find an extended stay hotel with free breakfast, weekly cleaning, free internet, utilities included, and all the extras for 50 or so a night..... thats 1500n a month....and the rest is in your pocket tax free.....

Where are you at in CA? I looked at some extended stays and they are closer to 80-100/night = 2400/month....

What extended stay hotels are you finding that are that cheap?

Even in Phoenix they were 70-80/night.

thanks

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