Casual, per diem and agency shifts often come with a higher hourly rate and more control over your schedule. But a higher rate doesn't always mean more money. To compare fairly, you need to count everything a staff job gives you.
What you often give up
- Pension or retirement match: for example, HOOPP in Ontario, or a 403(b) match in the US.
- Health, dental and vision benefits.
- Paid vacation, sick time and stat holidays.
- Disability and life insurance.
- Guaranteed hours. Shifts can be cancelled when census is low.
How to compare: total compensation
Add up what each job is worth over a full year:
- Expected annual pay: realistic hours × rate, plus premiums and overtime. Be honest about cancelled shifts.
- Employer pension or retirement contributions.
- Value of benefits: what would it cost you to buy similar coverage yourself?
- Paid time off: paid vacation and holidays are money you'd otherwise lose when you take time off.
A simple example
| Staff job | Per diem | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $45 | $55 |
| Hours paid in a year | 1,950 (includes paid vacation) | 1,700 (no paid time off, some cancellations) |
| Base pay | $87,750 | $93,500 |
| Employer pension or match | About $8,000 | $0 |
| Benefits value | About $5,000 | $0 (you pay) |
| Total value | About $100,750 | About $93,500 |
In this made-up example, the job with the lower hourly rate is worth more overall. Your numbers will be different, so do the math with your actual offers.
When per diem or agency makes sense
- You have benefits through a partner or another job.
- You want flexibility for school, kids or a side business.
- You're working a second job to boost income on top of a full-time role.
- You're near retirement and already have a pension.
If you go per diem, protect yourself
- Build a larger emergency fund for cancelled shifts.
- Set up your own retirement savings: a TFSA or RRSP in Canada, or an IRA in the US.
- Price private health and disability insurance.
- Track your hours so you know your real annual income.
Compare offers in seconds: enter each rate and your expected hours into the free Nurse Shift Pay Calculator.
This article is for general education and isn't financial advice. The example uses made-up numbers for illustration.