Compare the real hourly rate for healthcare professions after commuting, overtime, and hidden expenses. See which healthcare jobs actually pay the best.
| Profession | Salary | Nominal Rate | True Rate | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,070 | $43.03/hr | $30.19/hr | 30% |
| Pharmacist | $132,750 | $66.38/hr | $50.28/hr | 24% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,400 | $40.70/hr | $31.50/hr | 23% |
| Physical Therapist | $97,720 | $48.86/hr | $36.27/hr | 26% |
| Paramedic | $38,930 | $19.46/hr | $12.59/hr | 35% |
| Veterinarian | $103,260 | $51.63/hr | $37.49/hr | 27% |
Your Income
Hidden Time
Hours you work for free
Hidden Costs
Money you spend because you have a job
Gas, public transit, or rideshare
What you spend that you wouldn't at home
Tools, certifications, dry cleaning, etc.
Among healthcare professions, pharmacists have the highest nominal salary at $132,750/year, with a true hourly rate of $50.28/hr. However, jobs with less overtime and shorter commutes may have better true rates relative to their salary.
Healthcare professionals typically lose 25–40% of their nominal hourly rate to hidden costs and unpaid time. The biggest factors are commuting (35–30 min/day), unpaid overtime (4–2 hrs/week), and daily work expenses.
In healthcare, overtime ranges from 4 to 2 hours per week. Higher-paying positions like pharmacist often require more unpaid hours, which significantly reduces the true hourly rate.