What state in the U.S.A. has the highest paying healthcare jobs?
Asked by joserino5000
Associate nursing level , please include starting salary

Best Answer:
The highest salaries for RNs are generally seen on the west coast and in the northeastern states. But by the same token, the highest cost of living also happens to be on the west coast and the northeastern states. When comparing salary, you look not only at what the wage is, but what it will cost to live in that area. The average salary for RNs in the US is around $54,000 per year. In San Francisco, California recent surveys showed the average RN earned $74,902 per year. However, to live in San Antonio, Texas at the same standard of living (according to salary comparison calculators) that same RN would need to make $51,046. The average RN in San Antonio (according to local surveys) makes $63,540 per year. So the RN in San Antonio makes over $12,000 more expendable income, and is able to buy more with that money. An example of these issues is the housing issues which are in the news lately. In California there are cities where as much as 50% of the homes are in foreclosure, yet in San Francisco, there is not a single 3 bedroom 2 bath home available for under $200,000. In San Antonio there are almost 4000 homes available under $200,000 with at least 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, some as big as 4,000 sq feet. You can't just look at what someone is going to pay you. You have to look at all the factors. Cost of living, cost of transportation, quality of life, lifestyle. Always look for the best place to live you can afford, not the highest paying job.

The West Coast probably is your best bet. Larger cities usually pay higher. I am in rural Washington. Our starting wage for a new RN is $23.85/h. We are very competitive with anywhere in Washington. However salary should not be your only criteria. Look at the area. Do you want to live there? What is the benefit package? It is never too early to think of retirement. What type of nursing do you want to do? Some hospitals have specialty areas like cardiac care and some don't. What is the hospital's record? Are they progressive? are they a Joint Commission Certified hospital? My advice is to do your homework and look at the big picture. There are lots of nursing jobs out there. You will be much more satisfied if you do. Good luck to you.
Answered by John H

I agree with John H, but also Agency nursing (travel nurse) pays extremley well too. You can go all over the states doing that.
Answered by liss