U.S.A. Texas
Published Oct 9, 2012
bonestAx
81 Posts
I was quoted an offer in ED in Austin for about $23/hr with a little over 1 years experience. Is this about average for the area? Austin seems to be quite expensive to live is this enough money to make it there?
What else should I know about nursing in Austin and TX?
-stAx
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Yes. Unfortunately, that pay rate sounds right on target for Austin.
Realize that Austin hospitals can get away with paying lower wages because it is considered a hip, cool, trendy, and desirable place to live. Nurses from all over the country have flocked to Austin, and this has helped to depress wages in the local healthcare market.
Even though the cost of living there is higher than most other major Texas cities, people willingly accept the lowball pay rates in order to live in the city.
Well, is it really that nice to live there or is it just hype?
When I first started looking into moving to Texas 7 years ago, I researched Austin and quickly crossed it off the list because the nursing pay rates were low and the cost of living seemed rather high for a city in a Southern state.
Dazzles
14 Posts
My boyfriend and I rent a very very nice 900 sq ft apartment. Each have car payments, insurance payments, groceries, internet, cell phone, etc.
I make half of what you're starting out on and he makes about $14 per hour right now.
We have more than enough for our bills and a bit left over. Considering you'll make a little under what we make as a COUPLE -- you'll be fine.
I wouldn't run out and buy a house right now, but you can definitely live. If you have an entire family to support on your own, you may want to look elsewhere.
Where did you end up commuter?
Thank you dazzles that helps a lot. I will be coming down to Austin in Nov. to see what the city is like and to tour a few facilities. So we will see what happens.