Nurse compensation is under scrutiny as some states, like Iowa, propose capping travel nurse pay, while others, such as Tennessee, are boosting wages up to $32 per hour for new registered nurses. Local government decisions in Indiana and demands for better pay in Minnesota underscore the ongoing negotiations for improved compensation. These trends are creating varied financial outcomes for nurses, deeply influenced by geographic location, tax implications and living costs.
MoneyGeek analyzed nurse salaries in 109 metro areas to find the U.S. cities where nurses make the most after taxes and living expenses. We examined wages for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). According to our findings, Southern metro areas offer the most significant stretch on earnings, especially for nurse practitioners.