How do you know how much you should be paid?

Hi. I want to know how I can find out a fair pay for a RN in the state I am currently in (MD). I came from working in NC and the cost of living is significantly different, plus I have experience. How do I find a fair rate of pay in my new state? Is there a way to find out this information before I start applying for jobs in this state?
Try using salary.com

Quote from RN276Try using salary.com

Go to the MD section here there are threads on area wages. You will probably be happy with the pay but shocked at the prices of housing depending on what area of MD you are coming to. If you start a thread add how many years you have and what speciality for the most answers. Welcome! Nursing opportunities in Baltimore/DC are awesome in my experience.Edited to add: the way I figured out how much to ask for as I moved around was word of mouth from my co-workers.

Word of mouth from other nurses that you meet here and there, especially if they work for the next employer you plan to approach. You can also cold call employers and ask without giving your name. I have done this before and was given the info I requested.

Check out openings at the large university hospitals... often times salary ranges will be listed. Also, if it's a union employer then the contracts are often available for review online...I've never found salary.com to be particularly accurate in other fields though I don't know about nursing.

I don't bother with salary.com, have no idea where that data comes from, it is too far off.

My experience has been nurses are paid based on years in the profession...1-5 yrs, 6-10 yrs, etc. Rarely is it negotiable...

Quote from onetiredmommaMy experience has been nurses are paid based on years in the profession...1-5 yrs, 6-10 yrs, etc. Rarely is it negotiable...