Nursing MasteryCareer companion for nurses

Where should you live?

Pick two states. See the posted pay side by side, then what each median actually buys — the comparison a headline number can’t make for you.

Compare two states

Posted-pay percentiles, same dollar scale.

25th percentile$99k vs $69k

Median$115k vs $80k

75th percentile$138k vs $97k

90th percentile$156k vs $114k

California: median $115,440/yr ($44/hr) across 415 priced postings · Texas: median $80,299/yr ($36/hr) across 304.

What the money buys

The same dollars, translated to national purchasing power.

California

Cost of living runs 45% above the national average.

Posted median in national dollars

$79,724/yr

from the $115,440 posted median

Pay in California →Open roles →

Texas

Cost of living runs 7% below the national average.

Posted median in national dollars

$86,622/yr

from the $80,299 posted median

Pay in Texas →Open roles →

After cost of living, Texas stretches further — $86,622/yr vs $79,724/yr in national dollars.

Cost-of-living translation uses Becker's Hospital Review (BLS OEWS May 2024 wages · World Population Review 2024 cost index) (checked 2025-04-02). Colorado is excluded by the source for data-quality reasons. Posted offers are what employers advertise — a market read, not take-home pay or a promise of what any individual will earn.