Worth Moving to California now in 2014?

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QuackPharm

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So i'm making GREAT money in Texas right now (125k+), plus some side work. My partner wants to move to California...but jobs are scarce and pay is low due to high income taxes (texas has none). I love California but...I won't be making there what I make here. I think we can wait a few years, make money and then move.

I know some companies non-retail are offering ~130k (62.50$/hr). That'd really be my minimum I guess...How are your recent salaries in California? And raises (if they exist)?

Looking at Southern California BTW

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I don't know about CA, but my consideration would be, is your partner in a position to get an equal or better job than you currently have? If so, than you could probably move & let the job situation work itself out. If not, then I would say no unless your partner really has an extremely pressing reason why you need to move CA (better weather is not a pressing reason, I'm not sure what I would consider a pressing reason, but I'm sure there is a 1 in a million one) If you did decide to move, then the best thing would be to secure a job first, and then move....then all your other questions would be answered, because you would have the job offer in hand (although this method could run up more costs in terms of travel for job interviews, etc., it still seems less risky than moving to an area where neither of you yet has a job.)
 
So i'm making GREAT money in Texas right now (125k+), plus some side work. My partner wants to move to California...but jobs are scarce and pay is low due to high income taxes (texas has none). I love California but...I won't be making there what I make here. I think we can wait a few years, make money and then move.

I know some companies non-retail are offering ~130k (62.50$/hr). That'd really be my minimum I guess...How are your recent salaries in California? And raises (if they exist)?

Looking at Southern California BTW

I was about to type something then I saw your last line...it might be a challenge meeting that salary in Southern California (depending on what/where you are looking + your experience). The averages in Northern California far exceed that (with hospital running ahead of retail) if you're interested, but your ask for So-Cal is in the upper middle (from what I gather).

My recommendation: it'll depend on job prospects for your partner, if dream job shows up, then make the move; if you can wait and be picky, it'll be worth it to bulk up $$.

I would definitely resign yourself to not making as much in California, but focus on the intangibles that the added cost brings you (i.e having to use a/c once a year maybe, you should take up sailing, being < 2hrs from snow, etc...)
 
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That'd really be my minimum I guess...How are your recent salaries in California? And raises (if they exist)?

Oh to expand on this one, here goes my current knowledge of salaries:

Northern California (SF Bay Area)
Retail: $66-$69/hr
Inpatient: $64-$85/hr depending on corresponding compensation package + shift differentials (that high end is for night shifts).

Southern California (OC/LA)
Retail/closed door mail order: $54-60/hr, these have been generally stagnant since 2007-2008.
Inpatient: $61-66/hr, same comments as above, but no idea about shift differentials down there.

The only pay scales that are a bit astronomical = Kaiser Permanente. See the recent threads on their newest contract and you can go from there, the pay scales are much higher than what I list here. I also heard a rumor about a hospital or two testing the waters with paying inpatient pharmacists $40's-$50's/hr, but then again I always hear these rumors year after year with the glut of pharmacists. So far, I haven't actually seen anyone's paycheck reflecting that.
 
There are still jobs...good jobs too. It is more competitive so you have to know the right people and have the right background.

I think it is $61-63 an hour for the big chains. Hospitals probably won't pay as much as Northern California unless you work for Kaiser.
 
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Oh to expand on this one, here goes my current knowledge of salaries:

Northern California (SF Bay Area)
Retail: $66-$69/hr
Inpatient: $64-$85/hr depending on corresponding compensation package + shift differentials (that high end is for night shifts).

Where do I get my $64/hr? Wonder if it's worth it for me to get a California license after all and give up my pension, loan reimbursement, etc...
 
Clinical specialist in SoCal making >$70/hr.

I'm not from California, so I like it fine, but I'm not rabid about it like people who grew up here. There are 49 other states, some of which I'd even prefer to live in.
 
I'm not from California, so I like it fine, but I'm not rabid about it like people who grew up here. There are 49 other states, some of which I'd even prefer to live in.

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CAAHHHHHLIIIIFOOOOOOHHHHHHNIA
 
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SoCal Staff Rph, this is in the metro area. Manager at $3-5 dollar from base.

CVS : 65
Rite Aid : 62
WMT : 65

If you go to the boonies:
4 hours away from the city, pay is up to 72/hr as staff.
2 hours away from the city, about 2-3 bucks more from metros.
 
i keep applying to kaiser, most likely my applications are not even getting viewed, but you never know.
 
SoCal Staff Rph, this is in the metro area. Manager at $3-5 dollar from base.

CVS : 65
Rite Aid : 62
WMT : 65

If you go to the boonies:
4 hours away from the city, pay is up to 72/hr as staff.
2 hours away from the city, about 2-3 bucks more from metros.

Okay cool, updated numbers. I don't know many retail people anymore in so-cal.
 
Wow, got a lot of responses here! Very nice. Thank you all for the information. Sometimes us Pharmacist don't communicate as well as we should when it comes to salary...i'm very thankful to be on SDN!

I had no idea Northern Cali was more than SoCal. Makes sense now...since everyone and their mother wants to be there. Very interesting numbers, i'm pleasantly surprised.

Luckily I like my job right now, so i'm not in a mega rush. I think i'll keep an eye out for positions...especially Kaiser! And yes money isn't everything of course, it just helps to know what to expect.
 
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