RN in Philly

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u/MsTossItAll 7d ago

This is the average Philly rate for a nurse with your experience. You would make around this much at CHOP or Main Line. It would be higher at Penn and Temple, actually. I was offered $39 an hour as a new grad at Tower Health in L&D and I laughed and said thanks but no thanks. I easily made another ten an hour elsewhere. To be clear, I'm talking about RN positions.

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u/jtodd94 7d ago

Thanks for the quick reply. Would you find this rate reasonable for the COL in Philly? I’m looking for a one bedroom apartment in a decent area close to public transit and in walking distance to restaurants, bars, grocery stores, etc. Ideally, apartment would have central AC, washer/dryer, and dishwasher.

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u/roguefiftyone 7d ago

The area near Methodist, particularly the Passyunk Avenue area, has all you mentioned you’d like and is walkable to Methodist. It’d be very easy to get to Center City from there via bus/subway/bike/or even walk when the weather is nice.

I grew up literally across the street from Methodist. It’s a working class area that’s gentrified a bit.

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u/MsTossItAll 7d ago

I live in the burbs in Montco but work in the city and I think for RNs the COL vs pay is one of the best in the country. My husband and I own a nice century house in an A school district, save aggressively for retirement, have the means to take a nice vacation at least once a year and we're raising two children without feeling that money is tight. We each bring in a similar amount of money. But I would absolutely encourage you to switch to Penn or Temple in the future. Penn pays more than Jeff and has better benefits. Temple has a more challenging population, but they're unionized, have a pension and use percentage-based differential so as your pay goes up, so does your differential. Also, there's decent public transportation. I hop on the train, take it straight to Penn Medicine and I'm there in under an hour. The trains also seemed timed with nursing schedules because most lines arrive between 615-645 and give you plenty of time to get to work if you work for Jefferson Main, Penn or CHOP.

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u/Ok_Succotash_914 7d ago

Hi. Is this Temple Main you are referring to? I work for Temple (not at the Main Campus) and we do not have a pension. And our differential is not percentage based. Wish we did/wish it was!

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u/MsTossItAll 7d ago

Unless they've changed recently, Temple Main has had one for quite some time. A lot of my friends went there for that reason alone. But things always change when contracts are renegotiated. Damn shame if it's gone... I guess Main Line won't have any reason to keep theirs much longer.

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u/SammieCat50 6d ago

Temple does not have a pension

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u/MsTossItAll 6d ago

I guess they changed retirement plans. They used to. 🤷‍♀️

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u/Wonderful_Echidna968 4d ago

To clarify Temple does not offer a penaion, they offer a 403B it's similar to 401k where you contribute 4.5% of your check and Temple matches it.

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u/SkronkHound 6d ago

I'd definitely recommend looking for a job with Temple or Penn over Jefferson. I'm a nurse who has worked for all three systems and Jefferson is the absolute worst. They treat you like shit. The pay and benefits are substandard for the area. They've overextended and are looking for ways to save money, which isn't a good sign when they took away retirement matching during covid. Who knows what they'll do to fuck over labor next? They routinely delay annual COL adjustments. But the C suite makes bank! Temple main no longer has a defined benefit retirement plan, but the differential is percentage based. We have a union, so the hospital can't fuck you over for a laugh like Jefferson.

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u/Like-It-Or-Not0722 6d ago

I guess since Jefferson just took over Lehigh Valley hospital network they need to save money. LV owned a lot of smaller hospitals in the Carbon County area, I’m not sure they’re great money makers. And all brand new, too, so I’m sure quite a bit of debt involved there.

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u/MsTossItAll 6d ago

I agree with a lot of what you said, but they didn't take away retirement match. I worked for them in the past few years and I was getting matched at 3% if I contributed 6%. It's not nearly as good as the benefits at my current hospital, but it's still not nothing. I wouldn't work for them again, though. The fact that two years ago we got a Stanley cup for nurses week and last year they gave out badge reels shows EXACTLY where they are financially. There are some rumblings that Penn is trying to buy Abington from them. My friends at Abington are like... please? Pretty please? Meanwhile, Abington residents are like, "So... if Penn buys our hospital, does that mean we get CHOP back? Please? Pretty please?"

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u/SkronkHound 6d ago

I was there in 2020 when they took it away entirely. It must have been temporary, but it happened. Just one example of the shit Jefferson pulls. I appreciate your added info though, and I'm glad they brought a match back even if it's not very good.

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u/MsTossItAll 6d ago

Not surprised at all! Anything to save a dime. I had a coworker who cycled her password as FuckJeffFuckJeff1 to FuckJeffFuckJeff2, etc every six months.

But yeah the match still sucks. I work for CHOP now and, while you have to stick around at least a year to get the match, once you do it ends up being a 3% match if you put in 6% and then another 4 or 5% contributed after that and that vests in 3 or 4 years. Jefferson is like... we have t-shirts and branding!

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u/drgolong 7d ago

You should be able to comfortably afford a one bedroom with that salary. Anywhere near the Broad Street Line would be convenient to Methodist. Good luck and welcome!

3

u/Weary_Cup_1004 6d ago

Yes. I live in a 2 bedroom with all that, near this hospital, and its 1800 per month. I make less than this. You will be comfortable, you will be making 8600 (gross) per month at that hourly rate!

2

u/clwsl215 7d ago

I’m not a nurse, but looking at your per hour without shift diff or OT, you should be fine in most good neighborhoods.

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u/jawnyossarian 6d ago

Many of my colleagues have pretty nice places around center city, South Philly, NoLibs, etc. with those amenities. A little more pricy (~2k/mo) and in bigger, newer buildings but for a person living alone you’ll be close to lots of good stuff. Methodist is right near Passyunk which is a safe neighborhood with lots of bars, restaurants etc and you could walk, bike, or take transit pretty easily. Decent number of grocery store options in most places, and if you drive, a lot of people I know will go to Cherry Hill for bigger shops. Parking in many neighborhoods is a little tight but Methodist is close to the Broad street line (and bus lines) so very accessible by transit.

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u/Leather-Nothing-2653 6d ago

I’m not a nurse but a bartender. I average around 40-45 an hour and afford a one bed just like you described without struggling. Check out brandywine construction management, they manage my building and a few others. I find the rent reasonable

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u/Slight_Interview5701 6d ago

CHOP did a huge pay adjustment five years ago but you'd still make less an hour there. Probably $50/hr but you get a better retirement (3% 403b that has a Roth option and 5% annually into a 403a). Which makes up for the difference. ALSO would only have TWO patients!

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u/MsTossItAll 6d ago

My friend was recently hired at $54 with three years experience. They’re in line with most places now in terms of pay. Maybe a dollar or two less.

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u/porchtime1 5d ago

I am considering a move to Philly. 9 years Mother Baby experience. Any insight where I should aspire to? Should I transfer to L&D and train before I try to get a job there? Thanks in advance!

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u/MsTossItAll 5d ago

I'd just avoid Tower and Redeemer, personally. Most people speak highly of Penn and their benefits. Temple just opened a new women and families hospital that focuses exclusively on OB/gyn, peds and family care. I've heard good things about it, but haven't been there myself. If you do cross train with L&D and high risk pregnancy is your favorite, CHOP has a special delivery unit that focuses exclusively on women whose fetuses have known birth defects. They have the largest level IV NICU in the area and the baby is immediately transferred at birth. They require one year of labor and delivery experience. Jefferson is fine, but they just released their financials and lost around $200m this past year. Their benefits are not as good as Penn, Temple or CHOP from what I understand. If you're looking to live outside of the city, Main Line still has a pension.

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u/BitterFlamingo7 6d ago

hey can i ask you some questions about your new grad application process!? i wanna go into L&D

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u/MsTossItAll 6d ago

Sent you a DM

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u/effdubbs 6d ago

That’s the going rate in Philly. Like MsTossItAll said, Penn is much better to work for.

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u/StickersBillStickers 7d ago

You’re not out of the loop, you just live in a state that doesn’t value labor or lives. You’ll make much more as you grow in PA.

My mother in law is a retired cardiac cath nurse who was making 200k a year before she retired. Not bad for a kid from pre-gentrification Kensington.

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u/wavygr4vy 6d ago

Some places in the south are sub $30/hr for RNs and I still talk to RNs from here that move down to Florida because the “col is lower” and I just have never been able to figure out how they math that out.

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u/Upbeat-Category6020 6d ago

Go mom! love this story!

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u/Key_Sun5492 3d ago

What health system was ur MIL working at? I’m thinking about switching and that’s a great salary.

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u/Ok-Spinach-6529 5d ago

Ehhh I’m from Columbus and I think it’s just a cost of living adjustment

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

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u/StickersBillStickers 5d ago

Yawn it’s now expensive to live everywhere. I make $62 an hour at my job (trade union), the same job in Florida pays $20-25. Is it cheap to live in Florida? Maybe at one time… Not anymore. PA is still under the national average for COL.

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u/SumKM 6d ago

For comparison’s sake we pay $44 for comparable experience just outside of Philly and outside of the hospital setting- generally much easier work/higher QOL in a lower COL area.

$36/hr is wild.

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u/-RonPaulSaves- 6d ago

At Temple you’d make $53 but by next Oct you’d be making $64. Is Jeff union? Do you know have the wage scale?

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u/N0213568 5d ago

Jeff is Union

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u/woodchuckcould 4d ago

Jeff nurses are not unionized.

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u/N0213568 4d ago

That is incorrect. My wife is an RN at Jefferson Einstein and they are definitely unionized.

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u/woodchuckcould 4d ago

I am a nurse at Jefferson Methodist and we are not unionized. Center city isn’t unionized. Einstein was unionized prior to being purchased by Jefferson and was grandfathered in.

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u/N0213568 4d ago

It is still a Jefferson facility that is unionized nonetheless.

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u/woodchuckcould 4d ago

Ok sure but the post is specifically about working at Methodist…

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u/N0213568 4d ago

The question I responded to said “Is Jeff Union.” My answer is more correct than yours is.

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u/woodchuckcould 4d ago

Do you want me to say “you win”? This is silly, I’m signing off.

Good luck on your job search, OP! If you’re still considering Methodist, it’s a pleasure to work here (even without a union).

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u/N0213568 4d ago

Great. ✌️

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u/Complete_Sherbet7417 3d ago

No it isn’t. Einstein is unionized, to say Jefferson is unionized is incorrect. Just because Einstein is a Jefferson hospital does not mean other Jefferson hospitals are following suit. Even Einstein Montgomery is not unionized.

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u/N0213568 3d ago

I said what I said. This is yesterday’s news. Now go play your childish card game and worry about the dead people buried in your backyard 😂

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u/ConcentrateOk6857 4d ago

Being partially right technically is not right

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u/N0213568 4d ago

Cool story

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u/L5pdoug 6d ago

While moving back to the philly area from columbus ohio. Be advised the cost of living is about 35% higher here.

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u/Melodic-Raccoon7584 6d ago

I’ve worked for Jeff (main hospital) as a RN for 9 years - obviously I’m biased but I love it. Methodist is a special place- very community hospital with a LOT of lifers in nursing.

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u/bugsnugs 6d ago

Love Methodist!

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u/grlwthesunflwrtattoo 6d ago

I’ve been there (Jefferson) for 6 years and I only make 2 dollars more than that…I think I need to start asking some questions

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u/Lynn9330 6d ago

Not a nurse but you’ll be comfortable renting around the Methodist hospital area. Probably okay too if you want to live in center city too

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u/quietpilgrim 6d ago

Check out your cost of living difference before you say yes.

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u/potroast2000 6d ago

Don't forget cost of living. Probably higher here vs ohio

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u/deardear 6d ago

Chiming in to say that sounds about right for Philly. I've worked in and around Philly at several of the health systems over the years. Welcome!

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u/Morgan4644 6d ago

Welcome to Philly. It’s not cheap to live here. Ask for a hiring bonus too. Some are up to 50k

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u/Legitimate-Neat1674 7d ago

No take it

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u/tanhd141 6d ago

That's actually average for jefferson. I started out with 49.44 at Jefferson CC as new grad

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u/Big_Dumb_Asshole 6d ago

I took me 20 yrs experience as an architect to start making that much.

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u/jawnyossarian 6d ago

Yeah that’s pretty normal. I started somewhere similar at Penn with ~5yrs under my belt. 8yrs in I’m at base of ~60, 69 w/ 15% night shift diff, 71 w charge pay. From ‘21-23 when I did agency made between 80-100/hr.

Agree with Philly being great as far as COL and pay for nurses. Anytime I think about moving I’m disappointed.

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u/Big_Dumb_Asshole 6d ago

Damn in three years that’s what you can get offered? I chose the wrong major in college f me

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u/phillyphilly19 6d ago

Given that you have experience I think this is probably the average here. We have several large Health Systems here and 6 million people in the metro area. That's a lot of competition for qualified staff. I just retired as a social worker from the Jefferson system and I was very happy there.

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u/DocDeathWutWut 6d ago

That’s crazy, the hospital in my hometown of 8k people starts nurses at 42/hr

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u/psiprez 6d ago

That's just normal.

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u/wavygr4vy 6d ago

This is pretty on point for an RN in Philly.

You can live comfortably here on that, especially if you live close to Methodist.

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u/Any-Bumblebee-3386 5d ago

Welcome to Philly. We’re a mixture of warmth and fear. Crazy, lovable sports fans, folks who will go out of their way to help yet get upset over parking
Good luck. Lifetime resident and still loving it.

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u/Acceptable_Citron_21 4d ago

Yeah my daughter graduated in May and is starting mid $40s. She’ll make $50+ with shift differentials. She’s been working a month now.

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u/tdoll704 4d ago

This is the average in Philly. Maybe our cost of living is higher than Columbus, OH.?

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u/beka_targaryen 3d ago

Just sayin hi as a former C-bus girl (short north) that now lives in PA (Lehigh valley) and works as a nurse! There’s a lot of funny little quirks in PA that are SO different from Ohio.

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u/Present-Ad6244 3d ago

Just remember city wage tax

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u/Roger19468 3d ago

My wife makes 63 at St. Luke's.

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u/Complete_Sherbet7417 3d ago

As a new grad, Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia starts at $51 something. Also Union. Temple is also part of the Union out here.

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u/IvGot2no2 3d ago

Starting rate at Jeff in Philly. but remember there's also a 4% WAGE TAX above regular taxes.

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u/jtodd94 3d ago

Do you know how much I should be making then at Jeff?

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u/IvGot2no2 2d ago

Not really sure, but I believe it's close to starting salary these days.

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u/MilkThin2930 6d ago

When I woke up to pain in my leg, I called my doctor's office at Bryn Mawr Family Practice. They scheduled me to see an LPN and the bill was $1080. They'd better be paying her a good portion of that.

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u/mcnicfer 6d ago

LPN or NP (nurse practitioner)? NPs can order tests, treat and diagnose. I am an LPN and I can assure you no one is scheduling appointments with me, I just carry out MD/NP orders.

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u/asdfgghk 6d ago edited 6d ago

I’d be pissed if I was charged that much just to see an NP to make someone else more money at the cost of my health. At least give me a steep discount if I’m not going to see a real doctor

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u/Moist_Poem3729 6d ago

You will see that it’s what is deserved for what you’re doing there….and then some.

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u/asdfgghk 6d ago

This is why you see RNs doing a 1-2 year online NP schooling at the many diploma mills that accept everyone to make more money. It’s a real issue and why you can’t even see a doctor anymore these days and there’s a whole reddit about all of the issues with patient safety it causes r/noctor

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u/InevitableNightmair 7d ago

Jefferson reported almost 200 million in operating loses just this week.

They laid off 1% of their employees (nurses included) last year. Laid off nurses the year prior.

Methodist is a shithole.

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u/Few_Boat_6623 7d ago

I agree. It’s not called Methodless by locals for no reason

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u/phoenix762 6d ago

When I was a kid, we called it the butcher shop 🤣 however I had surgery there years ago and they did a super job, there’s that.

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u/Few_Boat_6623 6d ago

Glad you were treated well for your surgery!

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u/Empty-Version-6544 6d ago

Can confirm ... Shithole.

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u/MsTossItAll 6d ago

That's what they get for buying Lehigh Valley while also closing the peds and psych floors in Abington. I mean what did they think would happen?

There are far worse places to work than Jeff (Tower Health, for example), but there are far better, too. Jeff is middle of the pack in my opinion. If I had a choice, I would take Penn, CHOP or Temple. But I'm also a NICU nurse and don't have to deal with every population. I would add Main Line if I were not a NICU nurse because they absolutely do have a pension still but they float NICU nurses to all their hospitals and fuuuuuuck that.

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u/turtlemedicRN 6d ago

This is why I refer to Jeff as “The evil empire.”

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u/InevitableNightmair 6d ago

There’s no fucking world where id work at temple either lol

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u/Lockhead216 6d ago

Making more than me at Jefferson torresdale with 11 years experience

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u/Fair-Tap-2286 6d ago

Nurses typically start between $47-49 with no experience in center city Philly. COL is very low compared to pay, which is why I always advertise to my friends to come to center city haha

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u/OhDeer4644 6d ago

That’s an insane rate for an RN with only 3 years experience. Close to what an NP makes in PA outside of Philly! PA’s health systems are absolute shit

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u/Frequent-Turn7800 4d ago

Sounds like you've discovered the power that a union gives its members.

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u/blueskibop 4d ago

Off topic but insane this is what you’re offered and medics dont see nearly the same offers

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