U.S. nurses struggle with low pay, high costs
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Compensation for registered nurses can vary drastically based on location, tax implications, and living expenses, according to an analysis by MoneyGeek.
The worst cities for nurses
The average gross pay for a registered nurse in the U.S. is $86,070. However, when adjusted for taxes and the cost-of-living index, the average take-home pay drops to $65,414.
In some metropolitan areas, the disparity is even more striking. Washington tops the list of cities where nurses face the biggest financial strain.
Despite a pre-tax salary of $98,000, the adjusted take-home pay for nurses in the nation’s capital is a mere $48,000 due to the high cost of living and taxes.
Honolulu follows closely, with an adjusted take-home pay of $50,000, despite a gross pay of nearly $133,820.
In Massachusetts, the cities of Boston, Cambridge, and Newton have a pre-tax average salary of $100,360 though nurses only take home $52,591.
Best cities for nurses
California has four cities ranked among the top ten for registered nurse salaries after accounting for expenses.
Sacramento, Roseville, and Folsom lead the way, with nurses taking home $88,847 (from pre-tax earnings of $157,810), nearly $10,000 more than the national average.
In Modesto, California, nurses take home an average of $78,942 from an average pre-tax salary of $131,060.
In Texas, Houston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land, nurses net $79,520 on average from an average pre-tax salary of $93,330.
Nursing shortage exacerbated by low pay
According to The Hill, the nursing shortage has been exacerbated by inadequate pay and poor working conditions, leading many nurses to leave the profession or seek better opportunities elsewhere.
Uncompetitive pay has also prompted nurses across the country to strike for raises and improved working environments.
