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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 |
relkira
1 day ago
2 comments
i want please to know how much a NG make in New york city
newdiva
21 days ago
1596 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
about 1 month ago
14 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
about 1 month 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
about 1 month ago
56 comments
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farmgirl
about 1 month ago
4 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
about 1 month ago
1350 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
about 1 month 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
about 1 month ago
110 comments
i know excatly where to go for a good job lol
jmkowal3
2 months ago
2 comments
Bhawaii: I am an RN of 29 yrs but have not worked from 2004-06 due to 2 accidents within 1 mth of each other.Worked for a relatively new registry from May to September, "08 however they didn't offer much work but at least I got my feet wet again. Where are you getting the work with such high pay??? I have worked CVDOU and stepdown, as well as telemetry but I want more experience in the basics before I get my ACLS again and more up to the units. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. thanks....................Jeannette
Bhawaii
2 months ago
2 comments
Very inaccurate. I work nights per diem in Southern California and earn $48.23/hr. The pay is even higher in Northern California. Three 12-hour shifts a week earns me $90,000+/yr.; a 40 hour week earns me $103,000+. Into overtime? I've worked with RN's that have grossed $165,000/yr. . Come to California, we're desperate for RN's and you max out at 4 telemetry or 5 med/surg patients per shift.
Gwenalia
2 months ago
2 comments
License Nurse Aide/ CNA make $13- $18 an hour in New Hampshire. I am working on my nursing degree and do hope to be paid much higher than what this article is reporting. I have heard Massachussets pays much, much more but, the income taxes are killer.
crystal031484
2 months ago
2 comments
I am currently an LPN in Mo i make 24 dollars an hour i will complete my Rn in march and i will go up to 30 i have only been a lpn for 9 months so come to mo and work for the state 8 weeks off every year and 77 dollar a month insurance for a family of 5
NurseRecruiter
2 months ago
2 comments
I agree pronurse. These must be LPN rates. We are a union hospital in the twin cities, and starting pay for a new grad nurse is almost $29.00/hr. Experienced nurses obviously make much more than that.
pronurse
2 months ago
2 comments
These pay scales I hope are for an LPN and not an RN, I am an RN and haven't made that low of a salary in 8 years. I am unsure where you get this data from, however, a new grad coming to Our LTC center in Southern MN (Metro area is much more) will make on the average of 24.00/ hr up to $28.00/hr depending on the position. I think perhaps Nursing Link should do another survey of this report.