How do you feel about your salary?

[tbb113]

After reading Jennifer's thread on first year teacher salaries, I'm curious.

Do you feel that your salary is in-line with the education and responsiblities that goes along with your position? Are you over-compensated? Under-compensated? Paid just right?

If you think you are under-compensated...why do you stay in the field?

[SueK]

Right now I'm a SAHM so I vote that I'm underpaid. :)

Editing to add that when I was at the university, I went back and forth between feeling overpaid and feeling underpaid. The work was very cyclical, so at times we had next to nothing to do, and at other times (when I was going crazy from dealing w/professors who had no sense of urgency) I felt like they couldn't pay me enough to do what I did for them.

[slknight]

Um, honestly, I think I'm overpaid.:o :o Especially considering I work from home and have fairly flexible hours. Yikes! Hope my boss isn't reading.;)

[ChristineVA]

I tried to vote "other" but the poll wouldn't work for me!

I just don't know the answer. I work in Washington, DC (high cost of living). I did not finish college and I don't work very hard, although I'm moderately busy most of the day. I hardly even work an 8 hour day and never work overtime. I can basically do what I want. This is probably too much information, but I am paid approximately $70K. Do you guys think I'm overpaid/underpaid/just right? I'll tell you, at this salary my $$$$ don't go very far. I don't think I would work for much less money than this. The commute and expenses I pay just to work wouldn't be worth it for much less.

I suppose if I felt underpaid I would feel angry and would probably leave. So, I'm either paid just right or overpaid!
Christine

[JenniferJJ]

Uh...well, I'm unemployed.

At my last job, I feel I was overpaid. However, I feel that I was underemployed. My job was basically a highly paid admiistrative assistant, date entry clerk. I was not called that: I was called a program coordinator and worked for a major automotive supplier. I was frustrated with my salary, but really knew that in order to get a higher salary I needed to have the job that would pay the salary I was desiring. The job that I feel would have been a good fit for my skills and interests would have paid about 20K more. Then I would have felt that my salary would have been, as Goldilocks put it "just right." My former supervisor agreed that I was qualified for that job, I had an interview for that type of job two weeks ago (so I know that it is a good fit for me)...just need for the right opportunity.

Great thread topic, Tyra.

[Grace]

Since I'm on straight commission, I would say I'm paid just right! I am paid only for the work I actually do. The only way I could say that I'm underpaid would be if I felt my cut of the profits I generate was something I considered to be too small, but I don't feel that way at all. I get a very equitable cut of the profits, IMO.

[ellery]

I'm so underpaid that I'm even embarrassed to admit how much. I'm also recently even more underpaid than usual, since moving to South Carolina where I took a $7K salary cut (a big deal when it represents a fifth of your salary). And I actually get paid a tad bit more than most of my coworkers, which is even sadder. I have a master's degree, and on top of that a specialized license which required 2 years/ 100 hours of clinical supervision hours (unreimbursed by employer at $30/hour) and a horrific test. I also have over ten years experience and am an excellent employee. I no longer even make $30K a year.

Why do I do it? I dunno some days. I love what I do (working as a therapist to kids and their families) but have a sneaking suspicion that I'm an idiot. Most of my friends with similar educations (in different fields)make six figures. In this field I will NEVER, EVER, EVER make six figures.

Sorry. Grumpy-inducing thread.

Leah

P.S. Small rant here. Isn't it sad that someone like me who takes care of the children that will become our future, is so undervalued? We don't even make as much as teachers (not that we deserve more than teachers, but most of them around here don't have master's degrees, whereas in my field they're absolutely required).

[beckms]

I'm not employed yet, but I anticipate being underpaid, considering the amount of education I will have had and the extent of debt I will have incurred.

The average starting salary for a new veterinary graduate is somewhere in the mid-30Ks. And it doesn't ever ever get nearly as high as an MD. It's a grossly underpaid profession (or maybe MDs are grossly overpaid!), but IMO the people who go into it don't do it for the money. I know I'm not going to be a millionaire. I will probably be financially comfortable, provided I live within my means. I will be doing what I love.

[Escher]

Overpaid for what I do, but underemployed... (looking for a more challenging position....)

Actually, this is a not a bad position for me to be in....I can live at the lifestyle I'm accustomed to, yet I have the free time to better my skills (and become more marketable)....

[summer02]

I voted other - as a grad student I work a lot of hours for not a lot of pay. At the same time, my tuition is covered and if you add my pay + tuition, it's a decent amount. As of July 1st I'll be making just $500 less than my first year as a research tech (7 years ago). So while I'll feel underpaid for the amount of time I put in, I feel overpaid for a grad student. But in the end, it's not all about salary - I love what I do and in the end I'll have a PhD.

[wallycat]

I voted other because I freelance and do fill-in type of work so I certainly don't expect the pay nor the benefits that come with full time employment.

I will say that the salary difference between an RD and a librarian are hard to compare.
Good RDs work and deal with people's health to make a positive difference, but librarians require a Masters degree--which do you think ought to earn more?

[HeatherTx]

Ellery--what kind of therapist are you? I was a speech therapist back in TX but I worked in nursing homes (which was a considerable increase in salary). Just wondered since you said you had to have a Master's that it might be speech therapy. :)

I currently am a SAHM so no paycheck here.

[Jazzmatazz49]

I can't believe anyone thinks they're overpaid! That blows my theory that we all feel underpaid and overworked, no matter what our job or salary!

[stefania4]

The non-profit realm is aptly named.

Depends on how you look at it - my job pays differently in different industries/sectors. When I was making sense of mass quantities of data and figuring out how irregularities occurred and documenting what people wanted from software in telecommunications, I made an excellent salary.

Doing the same work in the non-profit/government world, dealing with homelessness issues, pays way, way less. I absolutely adore my job, but I won't be able to stay here because of the pay and (lack of) benefits.

[jjsooner73]

I voted overpaid. If I go by my degree (MS Statistics) and what I'm capable of, I'm probably underpaid. But my job doesn't use hard core stats, and my degree hasn't helped me much at all. So, I feel like I am overpaid.
As you can read on my teachers salary poll, I hope to soon be switching to a field where I feel that I will be underpaid (well, not necessarily in Texas where I'll be teaching). It'll still be better than a 50% pay cut, but the rewards will be immeasurable and I'll be much happier. :)

[tbb113]

Well, I voted over-paid. I have a BS in business and almost 24 years as a programmer/analyst. I know given the current market, it will be hard to match my salary if I had to move out of the SF Bay Area...and I think it might be hard to match it if I change employers in the area. So, I don't know if I'm overpaid or if the market has just changed that much. But I know from talking to friends with comparable education...I make much more than they do. I am in a more specialized field though.

And lately, since I have had very little to do at work....I know I'm overpaid. Also worried that I won't have a job much longer :(

[MKSquared]

I moved from arts administration to education.
Believe it or not, I'm looking at an increase in salary. Who would imagine, going into education because the money's better?

As for my current job (certainly not a career!), it all depends on the night. Some days, people are extremely generous and tip even more than fairly. Most days, people believe that going to lunch warrants less of a tip than a dinner ... I'll vote grossly underpaid on that one. (And for the record? I might be waiting tables, but I'm not dumb, so please don't treat me like I'm stupid.)

[slawrence]

Underpaid considering everything I do at work on a daily basis. However, my salary is being reviewed soon and I am anticipating a reasonable raise. Sue

[Kayla]

Originally posted by ellery
Leah

P.S. Small rant here. Isn't it sad that someone like me who takes care of the children that will become our future, is so undervalued? We don't even make as much as teachers (not that we deserve more than teachers, but most of them around here don't have master's degrees, whereas in my field they're absolutely required).

I swear, I'm not stalking you, but I have to say how much I agree with you. It's insanity the way salaries are determined. What makes movie stars so significant that they deserve millions, while someone who saves lives can only have those kind of figures in their dreams.

My mom's a teacher, and I didn't take any offense to what you said, but she has a masters degree. She went to school for polital science and economics, then went back for English among other things. She then received her masters degree while raising my brother and me and going to school at night. She paid her way through school herself, to do what she loves - help kids. It's different than therapy, obviously, but I am completely certain that the impact she has on her students (she is in special education) will last a lifetime.

Yeah, I'm her daughter, but I don't feel I'm biased. She stays hours after school is over just talking to students who need to talk. She puts her own money into buying things for her class room, supplies for school projects, etc. Teachers get a bit of a 'return' because of it, but even despite that, she's putting out more than she's getting back.

As for me, I think I'm paid decently for what I do ;) I'm a waitress currently, and work my arse off when it's busy, and the tips show it. I'm a full-time student too, and even though I'd like to think I should be paid for working myself to the bone at school, it just doesn't work that way :D

Kayla

[aggie94]

I voted for underpaid. I make a respectable salary, but for the schooling required and particularly the COST of that schooling, in addition to some sometimes-grueling hours, I don't think I make enough.

[Paula H]

I used to think I was overpaid for my part-time job in customer services at the local library, but then I hit the top of the pay band three years ago and now I feel underpaid. No possibility of a payrise (beyond a very sad cost-of-living increase each year) for me anymore.

Then there's my self-employed self. Since I still can't afford to pay myself, yes, I am underpaid! But to a certain extent, I don't think I'll ever make a "living wage" from naturopathy and aromatherapy - or at least, not for ten years or so.

[Chiffonade]

The economy sucks and I'd be surprised to read that anyone actually feels "overpaid."

[Chefzhat]

Since the latest personal income/personal spending numbers are higher than ever, I hardly think we can continue to say that the "economy sucks". There are certain sectors of industry that are soft, that happens all the time.

I'm SAHM - I don't get paid!!!! Doin' it for da love, baby.:) When I get a job I'll be paid just right.

Debie

[Molli526]

I voted just right. I am paid competitively for my experience in the industry. Ask me this a few years from now, and my story may be different :p

[cab321]

I voted other - I feel that my pay is in line with my training, skills, and abilities. I get paid a bit over the industry standard. But they never give me any work to do (which explains why I spend so much time here:)). So it's sort of just right and over! I wish they'd let me do something!

[linsleyd]

I voted overpaid mainly because the job I do is basically a secretarial job with a manager title. I truly believe since I've been in this position the last two and half years (with a total pay raise of $15,000) (Which you have to understand where I live and I still don't make a whole lot) But anyway I don't think my boss who is the dean of our department wants to take the time to train anyone else and at the university level it would take months for her to find a replacement. Therefore, with my last raise going into place shortly I will begin looking for a new job because this will be as high in the job that I can go (and where I can preferably find a job closer to home - I drive 100 miles a day- and I can hopefully get my MFA.)

[lhall]

Originally posted by tbb113
If you think you are under-compensated...why do you stay in the field?

Underpaid, but I get lots less that my supervior, but I do more work!!! I'm missing a crucial body part to get paid well in this job.

As for why I stay.....I'm not. My contract is up in June and due to that missing body part (or the wrong color skin, or a unprofessional boss) it wasn't renewed for next year. I'm actually happy that I won't be here much longer!!!

I enjoy working with people and helping them find what they are looking for. As for doing interlibrary loan. I like the detail work and the challenge of hunting down and finding elusive sources. :D

Leigh

[ellery]

Originally posted by ellery
We don't even make as much as teachers (not that we deserve more than teachers, but most of them around here don't have master's degrees, whereas in my field they're absolutely required).

Kayla, I'm not comparing my impact at all to those of teachers, I'm just saying that in my small mind it's a tad bit unfair that people with more education are paid less than those with less. I'm only speaking of where I work, as in the school that I'm in part time, I make less than the janitor and many of my clients. I too spend a lot of my own money on work - buying journals for kids, buying the books that facilitate my work with them, buying them a teddy bear when they need one, etc.

And for the record, I'm a mental health therapist. I work with abused, abandoned and mentally ill children and their families, often dealing with life and death issues (i.e. determining whether someone really means it when they say that they're suicidal). A lot of responsibility goes along with my teeny weenie salary.

Oh well. I do love what I do.

Leah

P.S. So NOT trying to sound snippy here. I've been having a poopy week and this thread touches on one of the reasons for the poopiness (work stuff). Okay. I'll shut up now.

[MrsReber]

Originally posted by ellery

P.S. Small rant here. Isn't it sad that someone like me who takes care of the children that will become our future, is so undervalued? We don't even make as much as teachers (not that we deserve more than teachers, but most of them around here don't have master's degrees, whereas in my field they're absolutely required).

First off, I want to say that I am happy with my salary. It's a great salary and I will accept it for as long as they'll have me working here. It is a competitive salary. I have never complained (I also never thought I'd earn as much as I am currently earning).


Secondly, Leah, I couldn't agree with you more. I know that the pay scale seems to vary depending on the type of child care/teaching and the area, but overall, kids are so important! I am embarrassed at how little the teachers earn at our daycare. I know we pay a LOT of money each month and they see so little of it. Yet we are bombarded with fundraisers. I don't know where the money goes, but I know the teachers don't earn that much. DH's neice applied there and they start at $9.50/hr. She said that is the highest pay she's seen. Yet three days a week, I let these people care for the most precious thing in my life. I can't put a price on that. DH and I were extremely generous last Christmas. Here's a "thank-you" from me to you and all the other dedicated, underpaid workers who care for our children.

[ellery]

Originally posted by MrsReber
Here's a "thank-you" from me to you and all the other dedicated, underpaid workers who care for our children.

Aw shucks... I can't tell you how much I needed to hear that after this week. :rolleyes:

I remember reading or hearing somewhere once that the value of the worker is determined by the value ascribed to the client. In other words, how society views the client determines how much the employee earns. It's an interesting thought - those of us who work with the "throwaways" don't get paid much. I personally don't think that society values its children enough, hence the smaller salaries for teachers, thinly stretched school budgets, etc.

I live in an area with a wild range of income, from ridiculously rich to unbelievably poor. Since I'm new to the state, I don't really have a good grasp on the state's financial standing, but they certainly don't put much into the schools around here, especially the one I work in part time. This county is so so poor, the school is even poorer (no art classes, no track team, not the best quality of teachers) and it's just so sad.

Okay, now I'm bummed out again. I really need to stop floating around the boards until I cheer up again.

:o

Leah

[MrsReber]

Part of the problem with daycare is that they can't price it too high because the parents still need to take home some money. If our daycare teachers were making half of what I make, I would just stay at home because the cost would be outrageous. It has to remain affordable. I just hope the teachers at the daycare understand how grateful we are to have them caring for our children. They really are wonderful, but they will probably always be underpaid.

[granolagirl]

The non-profit realm is aptly named
I hear ya!!

[gertdog]

I voted "just right" but maybe should have chosen other.

If I lived in the town where my company is based, my salary would be very generous indeed for someone with my level of education at a non-profit.

But I live in an expensive urban area 4 hours away, where that salary does not go nearly as far. My husband is in a very similar line of work in the city where we actually live, and his salary is 1/3 higher than mine even though he has the same education and less experience than me. However, it was my choice to take the job I have, and I love it. I work from home and set my own hours, so I am completely satisfied.

[Kayla]

Originally posted by ellery


Kayla, I'm not comparing my impact at all to those of teachers, I'm just saying that in my small mind it's a tad bit unfair that people with more education are paid less than those with less. I'm only speaking of where I work, as in the school that I'm in part time, I make less than the janitor and many of my clients. I too spend a lot of my own money on work - buying journals for kids, buying the books that facilitate my work with them, buying them a teddy bear when they need one, etc.

And for the record, I'm a mental health therapist. I work with abused, abandoned and mentally ill children and their families, often dealing with life and death issues (i.e. determining whether someone really means it when they say that they're suicidal). A lot of responsibility goes along with my teeny weenie salary.

Oh well. I do love what I do.

Leah

P.S. So NOT trying to sound snippy here. I've been having a poopy week and this thread touches on one of the reasons for the poopiness (work stuff). Okay. I'll shut up now.

Oh, no, no. I agreed with you before, but just thought I'd throw in my mom's experience.

It baffles me - it seems odd that someone with more education (especially someone in the field that you're in) would receive less than one with less education. Like some others have mentioned, too, it seems ludacris the amount you must pay for that education when you compare your salary to some others.

Also, therapists (I think) cannot prescribe medication like psychiatrists, and because of that, receive a hell of a lot less. That's ridiculous. I think the service you are providing is incredibly valuable, and for what you do and the emotional rollercoaster you ride listening to stories and problems, you really aren't getting enough.

It is unfair, indeed.

:) Kayla

[Kayla]

Originally posted by Leah
I remember reading or hearing somewhere once that the value of the worker is determined by the value ascribed to the client. In other words, how society views the client determines how much the employee earns. It's an interesting thought - those of us who work with the "throwaways" don't get paid much. I personally don't think that society values its children enough, hence the smaller salaries for teachers, thinly stretched school budgets, etc.

P.S.

Aye - totally agreed.

Just think, again, of movie stars and business moguls. It's our own society and its interest in the entertainment industry and consumerism that is fueling the fire of their income.

[Kayaksoup]

I voted underpaid. But if I didn't have to deal with the unnecessary emotional stresses that come with my job, i would be overpaid.

[stefania4]

Originally posted by ellery
I remember reading or hearing somewhere once that the value of the worker is determined by the value ascribed to the client. In other words, how society views the client determines how much the employee earns. It's an interesting thought - those of us who work with the "throwaways" don't get paid much.Very true. If you're a nurse in a hospital you can make a great salary. That same nurse working in a free clinic for the homeless & working poor won't make nearly as much.

Then again, that's an economics issue as well. Hospitals bill outrageous amounts of money to insurance companies and patients; free clinics, clearly, do not so they're dependent on grants and donations to pay the electric bill, rent, cleaning service, medical supplies, staff, etc. So I think it's not just the type of work you do, but for whom you do it, that's a factor.

[Jill123]

I voted just right (for me). I -maybe- work 40 hours a week, have fun and enjoy the variety. I could do with better benefits, and a much better commute, and that's probably why I won't be where I am for too long after the baby arrives. (I'd take less pay to be closer to home or have less hours.)

For DH, I'd say he's underpaid, which is common for attorneys in the first 10 years of their careers (unless they go to the huge firms). But hopefully, things will change soon for him and we can start to think about me staying home for a couple of years.

What gets me are the salaries of the administrative staff at DH's firm. Granted, they are legal secretaries, but they make almost what I do (and I went to college for 4 years and did quite well in school!) I just can't help but wonder exactly how valuable their skills are in comparison to my skills.

[ellery]

Originally posted by Kayla
Also, therapists (I think) cannot prescribe medication like psychiatrists, and because of that, receive a hell of a lot less. Kayla

Well, yeah, but psychiatrists also have unbelievable malpractice insurance that they must pay for. I'm much happier in my position! :D I diagnose, treat, and make recommendations as far as meds (i.e. nag, bully, etc.) to the psychiatrist - what he does heavily depends on what I say, but I don't have the risk of being sued. ;)

"ludacris" Isn't he a singer? ;)

Oh Lord, now I'm Escher, correcting people's spelling...

Back to lurking...

:D

Leah

[RebeccaT]

Originally posted by Escher
Overpaid for what I do, but underemployed... (looking for a more challenging position....)

Actually, this is a not a bad position for me to be in....I can live at the lifestyle I'm accustomed to, yet I have the free time to better my skills (and become more marketable)....

Ditto ditto ditto. I could have written that. I make more than my peers in my field at other companies, and so I am overpaid in that respect. I am looking for a position that stretches me a little and allows me to have more responsibilities in areas that I enjoy most. Being paid more than I would make elsewhere sort of makes me feel "stuck..." I LIKE being paid what I make, and being under-challenged leaves me time to do other things I love. I have become a MUCH better cook since taking this job!!! :D However, I would really like to have more job satisfaction.

[HRJ]

Right now, I think I'm paid about right.

For most of my working life in the newspaper business (20-some-odd years -- and believe me, they were odd :rolleyes: ), I was terribly underpaid, considering the skills that were required and the stress, responsibility and long hours the job entailed.

Why did I stay for so long?

1. My pay, while unimpressive, was more or less in keeping with industry standards -- the newspaper industry is basically a low-paying one, at least until you reach the handful of "big name" papers. But I knew that from the start -- no one becomes a newspaper reporter for the money.

2. Most of the time, I really loved what I did, and I was good at it.

3. Psychic satisfaction -- I truly believed that I was doing something that benefited the community, and that in some small way contributed to the strength of our democracy. (There are a lot of criticisms that can be leveled at "the media," but the world of small and mid-size local newspapers is a lot different than the big broadcast media outfits)

When I did leave the business, money was not among my top reasons for leaving. The things I had more of a problem with were:

1. The hours -- working nights and weekends, 50-60-hour weeks (usually without overtime pay); and never knowing when you'd have to stay late.

2. High stress level, which was beginning to burn me out.

3. After several years in middle management, I realized I really hated managing people, and it was not one of my strong points. Even more, I hated all the administrative work that came with being a supervisor.

4. Internal politics/unreasonable expectations/inept upper management/hostile climate toward women at the last company I was working for.

Helene

[ccooney]

I just finished posting on the teacher salary website when I noticed this thread. Just about everything I said there would easily fit here. I voted underpaid. Even though we only work 10 months out of the year, I feel that for the responsibilities we have and the importance that society supposedly places on our work, they have not put their money where their mouth is.

Yes, we have a great vacation package. And while our benefits packages have been slowly dwindling just as everyone else's have, they're not too bad. But do you know what I say to folks who tell me, "You teachers have it so great...vacation blah, blah, blah... 8:00 to 3:00 blah, blah, blah...benefits blah, blah, blah..." I say, "so then why didn't you become a teacher?" That usually shuts them down pretty fast.

Why do I stay in my profession? Easy. Even though there are massive headaches with standardized testing, unreasonable parents, people who think music class is nothing but fluff, etc. etc., I can't think of any other that I would enjoy being in as much.

[Guest]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
Since the latest personal income/personal spending numbers are higher than ever, I hardly think we can continue to say that the "economy sucks". There are certain sectors of industry that are soft, that happens all the time.

Debie


There are still hundreds of thousands of people who probably would say the economy is weak.


U.S. Jobless Claims Climb to 360,000
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: April 15, 2004


Filed at 10:44 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits, after having fallen to the lowest level in four years, shot up last week by the biggest amount since late 2002. The new report dealt a setback to hopes that the economy is finally beginning to produce a sustained recovery in jobs.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits jumped by 30,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted level of 360,000.

The increase was far above the rise of 7,000 that economists had been expecting, but analysts cautioned against reading too much into a single week's change in the volatile series. Labor Department analysts noted that the period covered was the first week in a new quarter, a time when the jobless claims can be even more volatile.

The four-week moving average for new claims, viewed as a better gauge of trends because it smooths out some of the volatility, was up by a smaller 6,750 to 344,250, the highest level since early March.

Economists are hoping that the strong economic growth that began last summer will finally convince businesses to begin rehiring laid-off workers, something that President Bush and other incumbents running for re-election are also hoping to see as evidence that the nation's long jobs slump is finally coming to an end.

The biggest sign yet that the labor market has finally turned the corner was the news that 308,000 payroll jobs were created last month, the biggest gain in four years.

Even with that increase, the nation's unemployment rate rose by a tenth of a point to 5.7 percent as the improving jobs picture encouraged people who had dropped out of the labor market to come back and resume looking for work.

The 330,000 Americans who filed for jobless benefits last week represented the largest number since early February.

The increase of 30,000, after a decline of 13,000 the week before, was the biggest one-week jump since a rise of 42,000 in the week of Dec. 7, 2002, a time when the economy was still struggling to rebound from the 2001 recession.

The rise in unemployment claims came as economists were beginning to worry that signs of a strengthening economy and a worrisome inflation report might prompt the Federal Reserve to begin raising interest rates to slow things down beginning as early as this summer.

Before Wednesday's report that consumer prices had jumped by 0.5 percent in March, many analysts believed the central bank might be content to keep rates on hold at a 45-year low of 1 percent until after the November presidential election.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Economy.html

[Guest]

!!

[mobear]

Would be paid pretty well if I lived somewhere cheaper. Work alot of hours, but feel my compensation is starting to finally match that. Just need to live somewhere cheaper now. :) Here, I cannot even afford to save up for a house.

[ClaraB]

Originally posted by stefania4
Very true. If you're a nurse in a hospital you can make a great salary. That same nurse working in a free clinic for the homeless & working poor won't make nearly as much.

Then again, that's an economics issue as well. Hospitals bill outrageous amounts of money to insurance companies and patients; free clinics, clearly, do not so they're dependent on grants and donations to pay the electric bill, rent, cleaning service, medical supplies, staff, etc. So I think it's not just the type of work you do, but for whom you do it, that's a factor. I'm a hospital RN (nonprofit), and voted that I'm underpaid (3 years' experience, and I make well under $20/hr). In some places in the US you can make a lot more, but the job stress and responsibility are such that I don't think there are many overpaid nurses out there.

I also want to clarify a misconception about hospitals billing outrageous sums of money for procedures - my understanding is that the insurance companies in an area will pay a certain amount for a procedure (say, $10K for a hysterectomy) - if the patient ends up staying several extra days, the insurance company won't pay any extra for the longer stay - the hospital has to eat the added cost if it's medicare, or bill the patient if it's not. A large percentage of patients are medicare/medicaid, so the hospital will never see the money again...