Resources >> Browse Articles >> Job Search
Resources >> Browse Articles >> Salary Guides
Top 10 Best and Worst States to Be a Nurse
NursingLink.com and CareerVoyages.gov
There is a projected need for 1,001,000 nurses needed in the United States by 2016. Nurses are one of the most in demand professions in America, but with so many job openings, it begs the question: Where should you work? NursingLink is committed to providing its members with the most most pertinent career research available. Below is the 10 best and worst places to be a Nurse based on salary and job openings.
Would You Pass the NCLEX?
NCLEX Review: Part INCLEX Review: Part II
NCLEX Review: Part III
NCLEX Review: Part IV
NCLEX Vocab Review
NCLEX Math Review
Top 10 Lowest Nurse Paying States
| State | Salary (hourly) |
| 1. North Dakota | $17.60 |
| 2. Louisiana | $17.50 |
| 3. Wyoming | $16.88 |
| 4. Oklahoma | $16.76 |
| 5. Kansas | $16.74 |
| 6. West Virginia | $16.52 |
| 7. Arkansas | $16.44 |
| 8. Mississippi | $16.42 |
| 9. Iowa | $16.36 |
| 10. South Dakota | $16.35 |
Jdonnell
about 4 years ago
2 comments
I don't think your payscales are accurate. Are these rates for new grads?
naoltuis
about 4 years ago
2 comments
the ten worst states are what they are calling the ten states that pay the least.
jreid601
about 4 years ago
2 comments
So where are the 10 worst states??? YOu implied that both would be shared.
hisnusr
about 4 years ago
2 comments
The best thing you can do for yourself, as a nurse, is to expand your horizons. There are so many other areas that a nurse is needed. Medical Device companies, for example, pay very high wages and Regulatory agencies (ie: FDA) require that medical professionals provide the clinical expertise. Nurse Education, Sales and Marketing and Legal Nurse Consultants are other areas my RN friends have succeeded. Make sure your resume is up to date. I keep mine on my desktop and update it frequently.
angienwgeorgia
about 4 years ago
252 comments
Well...............I'm in Georgia. I'm seeing that I'm not in the lowest paid states! Go us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with somebody who posted earlier with these wages and the accuracy, not that I have anything to go by. To those who are in the 'bottom 10'................I'll bet your cost of living is lower though. I feel things do balance out in the end. I've worked in Atlanta and made more, but the anxiety of being on the interstated I75 in rush hour so much of my time, I averaged out I do better in the smaller town, because I look at the fact that my time is valuable for the travel time driving. I would pay tons more living in the big city, but my mortage would break me! I'll stay in my redneck little community, thankyouverymuch! I hope everybody takes heart because, when new stats come out, I'll bet Georgia is in the bottom 10 then.
JulesRN530
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I work in Northern California and make $37.92 working nights. I'm not in a large city and I know if I traveled to somewhere like Sacramento nurses there make somewhere around $10 more an hour.
My question to the off estimates for pay is..... what nurses are they referring to? My mother an LVN for 15+ years makes about $25.00.
relkira
over 4 years ago
2 comments
i want please to know how much a NG make in New york city
newdiva
over 4 years ago
2876 comments
I did not think that oklahoma and kansas would be places where the nursing salary was low. This is very useful information to have when I graduate nursing school.
Shoutz
over 4 years ago
12 comments
I am a fairly new CNA Graduate (2006), and started out Making $16.00hr here in Pennsylvania.
Granted that was through an Agency, where they pay considerably more.
That's what my Average pay is.
Although! California is probably where I'm heading, once I finish my RN (I am in my 2nd Year!)
It appears the real "HotSpot."
lalalicia
over 4 years ago
8 comments
Reply to terrah, this has been a known fact for many years. As nurses we are the doctors right hand and the main person the patient sees at their bedside. All i can say is AMEN, we're overworked and underpaid!
Northstarnurses
over 4 years ago
70 comments
Join us live today at Northstarnurses live talkshoe
We can have this discussion and other topics there.
Today at noon eastern time.
USE this link http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/29986
More information below with phone number and talkcast id number
Description: JOIN US LIVE every Tuesday at noon & discuss the latest challenges and opportunies in nursing. Visit www.northstar-search.commoreDescription: JOIN US LIVE every Tuesday at noon & discuss the latest challenges and opportunies in nursing. Visit www.northstar-search.com lessHosted by: Northstarnurses
Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 29986
farmgirl
over 4 years ago
20 comments
I have my RN (Associates) and am finishing up my Bachelors. I am not working as an RN. What are my job prospects? I am older. Is there a chance of having a preceptor to be acclimated back into the Medical setting? What is available for an older nurse?
terrah
over 4 years ago
14128 comments
As far as I'm concerned, it seems like it does not matter what state you live in, all nurses are UNDERPAID and OVERWORKED!!!!! All of my friends are nurses...LVN and RN's, and though they may love what they do, they ALL agree that you wont get rich in the nursing field.
nursebunnie
over 4 years ago
4 comments
Im in nursing here in florida,the state with the oldest population,and the oldest wages,not enough , 18.00 hr.,if you work in a nursing home its less,it may be a good field of work,but dont come to florida if your out to make money,aggrevation we have the most,after 20 years of this place,it makes you wonder why you got into the field.
gospellove772003
over 4 years ago
1246 comments
i know excatly where to go for a good job lol