What to expect $$$ wise in Southern Florida

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

Expect to get paid much less than MA pays, if you can find a job.

There are dozens of threads on FL pay rates if you do a search. And, no, the absence of an income tax does not make up for it.

brian2412 · Apr 26, 2011

Thanks. I was looking to make $30/hr but I'd take a cut to get away from the cold/miserable weather!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

There is a huge variation in pay rates across the country for RN's, but it's not enough just to look at the pay scale either. You have to consider cost of living. How much will housing cost? Groceries? Gas? Usually you'll find that areas that pay higher have higher cost of living. According to indeed.com, the average salary for a nurse in Sarasota FL is 69,000. But that includes all specialties, facilities, and levels of experience.

Hay Nars, RN · Apr 26, 2011

$22-26/hour

MBrnbsnmha/ed · Apr 26, 2011

Florida pays low across the board nationally, but that area of Florida has been highly affected by the housing market decline and foreclosures. Health care is the only form of "stable" employment that coast has to offer. Good luck.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Thanks. I was looking to make $30/hr but I'd take a cut to get away from the cold/miserable weather!

That may be difficult to come by in most parts of the state.

lsdktd · Apr 27, 2011

if you are a new graduate the pay will be approx $19.00- $23.00/hr depending on where in florida. if you have experience not that much more unfortunately. per diem pays more like anywhere else and also seasonal contracts you can make $30-45.00 depending on specialty and hospital. all about staffing (only services hca facilities in the state) pays $36-$38 non- specialty $41.00-$44.50 specialty ie tele, pcu, icu, ed, etc. you may want to consider doing a travel assignment first and see if you like it. the state that pays is northern california, but again the cost of living is high, you can make approx $63-$68 w/ your 2 years of experience as a staff per diem nurse/ short hour nurse up to $82 if you have have more years of experience not including shift diff. don't forget that according to cali law your paid 1.5 after 8hrs and 2.0 after 12 hrs you do the math. nurses don't be afraid to call hospitals up and ask them how much they are paying before you even bother to fill out the application. it's a waste of your time to go for an interview to later find out you can't even buy groceries once your finish paying your bills!!! no matter how much you may or may not like nurses you still have to eat.

itsmejuli · Apr 27, 2011

In March I left Florida for good. I'd lived there for almost 20 yrs and watched the state slide downhill.

Do lots of research before you decide you want to move there. Take a trip down to the area you're interested in and get to know it. Go grocery shopping, buy gas, find out how much utilities cost. The cost of living in Florida is increasing far faster than wages. The state and municipalities are having financial difficulties resulting in massive budget cuts. If I had children I would not put them in Florida public schools.

Explore the neighborhoods and check out the people. Do you really want to live in God's waiting room?

I'll take a stable economy, better pay, snow and cold over the warm Florida winter.

katmeup7 · Jun 4, 2011

I live in the area you are speaking of. I love it here and have lived here for over 20 years. You couldn't pay me to live in snow and cold again, EVER!

This is a great time to buy a house. It's true groceries are more expensive here. Utilities are not. There's no state income tax. There are some good schools; you have to be "in the know" to figure that out. My daughter got a crappy education here. My granddaughter is getting an excellent education. Same town, different schools.

Salaries vary. You could expect about $27-28 an hour at a local hospital with only two years of experience. $30 if you're per diem. Is it worth it to live here? DEFINITELY! I love it.

diva rn, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

Well, I hate to be a Debbie downer...but I have lived in Florida for over 30 years and I can't wait to get out!

I hate the heat and the humidity... be prepared to spend big bucks on airconditioning instead of heating for about 9 months out of the year. :devil:

I live on the Southeast coast, and the job market is very tight.

The pay statewide will be a big shock compared to what you are used to making in MA. It won't be even close. Here, with 2 years experience you would probably start at about $25-28/hr. I don't think you could find higher than that for full time. Granted, per diem might be higher, but no benefits.

Here, in Palm Beach County, rent would probably run you a mininum of $1,200-up plus utilities. (remember the airconditioning)...and the gas is high now too, but that's all over the country. There are some good buys on housing, because of the skyhigh rate of foreclosures for the last 3 or 4 years.

You don't have to buy winter clothes, so that's a plus.

But that's about the only plus I can think of..............

You do have to buy a lot of mosquito repellant-and deoderant b/c you will sweat a lot!!~ :eek:

Hey, if I could swap states with you I would do it in a :redbeathe

So, If I can't talk you out of this idea....the beaches are pretty awesome (the East coast is better...we have the Ocean..the west coast only has a Gulf) and the skies are usually Blue and it's always Sunny...it's too damn sunny:cool:

So come on down...if you can afford it;)

Florida diva! (but maybe for not much longer).....but I want to go to Seattle