What do RN's make in California?

[Peanut06]

Just curious, what are the pay ranges for RN,BSN's in areas of CA? Anyone familiar with South Orange County pay ranges?

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

In orange county, 26 to 28$/hr with benefits I believe? The salary is lower than it should be considering the cost of living. It is a barely survivable wage for that area.

Bay area pays the most, (50$/hr) but currently there isn't any jobs, and the cost of living is horrendous.

Inland Empire pays 32$/hr, decent compared to cost of living, but few jobs.

San Diego approx 29$/hr, but there isn't any jobs.

Sacramento 40$+/hr but there isn't any jobs.

Think that's about it!

[Music in My Heart]

There are significant differences between unionized facilities and non-unionized facilities.

NickiLaughs is correct regarding the dearth of jobs in the Sacramento and San Francisco areas.

[MBA2RN, BSN, RN]

Peanut06, here's a doc file with the CNA Model RN Contract Provisions and a pdf copy of the current CNA Kaiser Contract for Norcal. The info is a bit dated, but still valid for comparison purposes. I'm a new grad (10 months) in Norcal and I make in same range ($49-59/hr) as these rates.

CNA’ Model RN Contracts Highlights.doc

kp_contract_summary_0906.pdf

[Music in My Heart]

Peanut06, here's a doc file with the CNA Model RN Contract Provisions and a pdf copy of the current CNA Kaiser Contract for Norcal. The info is a bit dated, but still valid for comparison purposes. I'm a new grad (10 months) in Norcal and I make in same range ($49-59/hr) as these rates.

Be aware that Kaiser - by far - pays substantially better than anybody else. If you use the KP rate for your standard you will be very disappointed elsewhere, especially a smaller institution or one not represented by the CNA.

For reference, I earn about half of that (with limited benefits) in my position.

[Peanut06]

Thank you everyone for the Info. It gives me a good idea of what I needed to know! =)

[MA Nurse]

I work per diem for Kaiser and make $71/hr. base pay. I have 20 yrs. experience, though. I highly recommend Kaiser for the pay and benefits. You can also transfer between Kaisers.

Good luck!

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

You may also take into consideration if your hospital is unioned or not. If it is unioned then there are some that you may want to stay away from. Do your research and speak to someone within that hospital and ask them if they're currently happy in their place of employment.

[MA Nurse]

But, typically RN's make more $ with a unionized hospital.

[itsthegreeneyes]

I work in the Sacramento area as a new grad (Graduated in Dec 2008, NCLEX in Feb 2009, Working in Sept 2009) and make a hourly of mid-forties. My classmates that were lucky enough to land a job in the Bay Area make around $50+ an hour. Just out of curiousity NurseCubanitaRN2b, why would you want to avoid a unionized hospital? I have worked in both unionized and non-unionized facilities, and would choose a unionized facility any day over the other option. Just curious about your reasoning?

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

There are some unions that I would just rather not deal with. But I would rather work in a hospital that's unioned.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

I work per diem for Kaiser and make $71/hr. base pay. I have 20 yrs. experience, though. I highly recommend Kaiser for the pay and benefits. You can also transfer between Kaisers.

Good luck!

Even travelers make about half that. I did not know any nurse anywhere was making that much, I do know that the cost of living is high where you are, though.