Nurses faced with low pay, high cost of living: These cities are worst [Video]

(NEXSTAR) – A variety of factors have contributed to the national nursing shortage that has affected the U.S. over the past several years. One of these factors in particular is adequate pay, or lack thereof.

The search for a better salary has caused some nurses to travel the country or to drop out of the profession altogether. Uncompetitive pay has also caused nurses across the country to grab their picket signs and go on strike for raises and better working conditions.

According to MoneyGeek, which analyzed nurses’ salaries in over 100 metro areas in the U.S., compensation can vary drastically based on location, tax implications, and living costs. Not to mention local governments in some states make decisions that either help or hurt nurses in the area.

The average salary for a registered nurse in the U.S. is $86,070 in gross pay. Of the metro areas that MoneyGeek analyzed, less than one-third surpass that average. When adjusted for taxes and …