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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.
Top 10 Highest Nurse Paying States
| State | Salary (hourly) |
| 1. California | $25.45 |
| 2. Hawaii | $24.76 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $23.38 |
| 4. New Jersey | $23.33 |
| 5. Alaska | $23.09 |
| 6. Delaware | $22.98 |
| 7. Oregon | $22.91 |
| 8. Nevada | $22.83 |
| 9. Maryland | $22.79 |
| 10. Connecticut | $22.62 |
cyndi
about 1 year ago
2 comments
maine pays 28.00 for a new nurse just starting out.
Georgette_70
about 1 year ago
10 comments
The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati Ohio and the University of Cincinnati ohio are both very good paying Jobs for RN's I have friends that work at both. The bonuses are awesome! When I get done in my program I am looking into relocating to closer to these.
whitefang
about 1 year ago
4 comments
ive been a lvn for 5 yrs in the same hospital, same unit. my starting salary was 12.50 /hr. now in 5 yrs it is only at 14.05/hr. makes me want to go somewhere else after reading all the comments here.
10470
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Wow, this is really helpful. I wonder where New York or Georgia place on this list.
irishgyrl
about 1 year ago
76 comments
Hmmm...I'm wondering where Arizona is in all of this. I plan on relocating next summer after graduation. I did get a letter from the Tucson area and they stated that they are paying upwards of $40/hr for RN's?
studentinprogress
about 1 year ago
4 comments
very helpful
skichik
about 1 year ago
2 comments
These wages are obviously not RN wages. Does anyone know where to find accurate RN wages? I graduated in Jan and took a job in Utah for $21 an hour which does not cut it financially for all the schooling and care I provide. I am interested in OR, CA, WA or CO. Thanks
cchrist1
about 1 year ago
18 comments
itsmykee - Could you please tell me where to seek employment in this area at that pay?! I am going to be graduating soon and am trying to decide where to go and what to do. I live in Florida now and have never heard of such a high sign on and retention bonus! WOW! Any advice? Hospital? Thanks so much....I have not heard or seen any sign on or retention bonus here in our area, and starting RN's make $21.50 an hour.
nursejojo757
about 1 year ago
10 comments
Where is Alabama? The pay here is very low, especially when compared to when I worked in California and things are just as expensive as far as cost of living from what I'm experiencing. these taxes are outrageous!
mbracc
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Luby200, I think these are salaries for LPN
luby200
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Not sure where the information on top 10 highest paid nurses came from. Very inaccurate! I have only been a nurse since 2004. I have had different rn jobs and never maid less than $30/hr to start. Most positions in CT start anywhere between $30-$50/hr. For example check out "Favorite Nurses" based in Hartford. There are many others as well. However, there is a catch, the cost of living in CT is extremely high.
laura59
about 1 year ago
414 comments
Some of the states with the higher salaries have some of the fewest openings. No surprise there. You should have Tennessee on the low salary scale (at least parts of TN).
dfwrecruit4u
about 1 year ago
10 comments
If anyone lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area, I am a recruiter for Quality Care. Quality Care has been staffing the local area hospitals since 1999 and we have numerous prn and contract opportunities for RNs and LVNs. We offer top rates to our nurses. Check us out at www.qualitycarenurses.com or call us at (214) 418-7888
EliteRN
about 1 year ago
20 comments
Hello Fellow RN's......All your comments are Sincere. We as Nurses Must speak up and become one cohesive Unit. We were told even at our youngest age that there is strength in numbers. This is so true. and so valuable to us as Nurses. We must stay together. My Name is Jeremy Balmer. I am a RN and a Partner in a fast growing agency based in Hilton NY called Elite Staffing. You can visit us online at www.elitestaffingnursing.com. We offer high pay for quality nursing services thru Independent Contracts with our local hospitals. Sign up on our mailing list and give us a call toll free at 1-866-304-9840. We look forward to hearing from you. And remember.
Together We Are Stronger.
pct
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Des Moines ,IA grads starting pay at mercy medical center $22.50