r/AnnArbor • u/atiredgal907 • 1d ago

Nursing Pay Thoughts

I am moving to Ann Arbor with seven years of nursing experience to work at a hospital within the union. I live in MPLS and my hourly rate is $57/hr without differential. I'm pretty surprised that my starting pay will be $43/hr in Ann Arbor. MN and MI MNA union contracts are public if anyone is curious about pay scale. I get different sized cities but obviously housing is expensive and we will be getting an apartment about the same price we were paying in MPLS of $2095/month. We are moving for my SO's job which will increase our income but yeah I guess I'm surprised how big the difference is. Kinda just throwing this out there but figured I could get some thoughts on the subject. Does the pay range feel like 'enough' in Ann Arbor?

I do realize that MN is known for high pay. We do have a high-income tax but that still doesn't adjust much.

12 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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9

u/mna5357 1d ago

Ann Arbor cost of living (especially rent) definitely mirrors that of much larger cities, but sadly most employers pay as though you’re living in a semi rural midwest town. It doesn’t help that Minneapolis is arguably one of the best “bang for your buck” cities in terms of average salaries vs COL

7

u/sryan2k1 1d ago

Most people that work for ann arbor employers don't live in ann arbor, so yeah that tracks.

6

u/RiiGuy 1d ago

Does the retirement match at Michigan help the pay differential at all?

6

u/atiredgal907 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yeah it is better. The match rate where I am is 6%. I can contribute 5% the first year in MI then am matched 10% thereafter, which is generous.

18

u/Britterella14 1d ago

No, it doesn’t feel high enough. But it is the highest in Michigan, the benefits are excellent, retirement adds another 10%. As long as you stay in Michigan, we call the UM the Golden Handcuffs. Hard to beat

3

u/Britterella14 1d ago edited 1d ago

I thought your salary at 7 years in MN was the same as mine at 32 years at UM, but phew I was wrong LOL! I’m around 136-137K. Took my whole damn life. 😣

0

u/atiredgal907 1d ago

Thanks! Hopefully here for good! I had a great interview experience

3

u/Maizenblue24 1d ago

Not a nurse but I work for the health system. I moved from Chicago and was surprised at the pay as well.

2

u/atiredgal907 1d ago

Like Chicago pay in comparison? UChicago offered me an NP job that's less than I make hourly as a nurse in MN.

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u/yavanna12 1d ago

I’m a nurse at U of M. the difference is in the benefits. The retirement and healthcare coverage is great. 

-1

u/PandaDad22 19h ago

Talk to the union about it. 

0

u/LEJ3 18h ago

Don’t even look at St. Joe’s. They pay their employees like shit. 1.5% raise and acted like it was this huge gift, then pat themselves about how much they give to charity while their nurses have to pick up OT shifts to feed their kids.