Nurse Salary - California vs. Other States

Nurses are needed in all areas and, as the health care industry continues to grow, the job outlook is bright for nurses in most areas. While demand for nurses may be equally high in many locations, nursing salaries are not always equal. According to the chart above, when it comes to the median nurse salary, California is way ahead of many other states. In fact, the median nurse salary in California is higher than the median nurse salary in the second leading state, New York, by about $5.00 per hour. Of course, the typical nurse salary in California and New York may be higher than nursing salaries in Florida, Texas and other states, but cities in California and New York also tend to have a higher cost of living. If you're wondering which location will help you maximize your nurse salary, use PayScale's Cost of Living Calculator to get a Cost of Living and Nurse Salary Comparison by City. Comparing the cost of living and median Nurse Salary Range in Los Angeles and Houston, for example, reveals that the cost of living in Houston is 41 percent lower. And the cost of housing is 71 percent lower in Houston than in Los Angeles. Such a significant difference in housing costs can't be overlooked when considering how far a nurse salary will go in different areas. For a quick comparison of median nurse salaries in various cities, you can also view PayScale's Registered Nurse Salary by City chart.

For a registered nurse salary, California currently offers the most competitive wages. To compare other nursing salaries in California, view the links below.

Nurse Salary Links

Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary - California
ICU Nurse Salary - California
ER Nurse Salary - California
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary - California