Curious about what it’s like to live and work in Pittsfield, Massachusetts? With over 43,000 residents, Pittsfield is the seat of Berkshire County. Close to the borders of New York, Vermont, and Connecticut, this cultural hub has broad appeal for nursing professionals who are looking for a new place to call home. Here’s what to know about nursing jobs in Pittsfield, MA.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Pittsfield, MA
- Is Massachusetts a compact state? No. To practice in Pittsfield, you’ll need an MA nursing license.
- What do RNs earn in Pittsfield, MA? Nurses in the Pittsfield area make an average income of $94,750 per year, compared to the national average of $89,010.
- Where can I find information about RN license requirements in Massachusetts? Go to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for licensure and renewal information. If you have an MA nursing license and you’ll need to renew soon, see our step-by-step guide to nursing license renewal in MA.
What to Know When Looking for Nursing Jobs in Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield calls itself the medical hub of the Berkshires, so whether you’re a CNA, LPN, RN, or NP looking for opportunities, this could be a great city for you. Whether your passion is in post-acute care or acute medicine, you’ll find hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and more in this area.
If you’re considering moving to this area and working here, you might be curious about the people in Pittsfield. Here are the demographics of the local community:
- 82% White
- 8.4% Hispanic or Latino
- 7.6% more than one race
- 5.9% are Black
- 1.3% Asian
- 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native
Working in Pittsfield, MA
This western Massachusetts city lies on the Housatonic River. In the 19th century, the river powered industrial plants in the region. Today the local economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, business services, and insurance. Pittsfield is a base for outdoor recreation in the Berkshire hills, so tourism contributes as well.
If you’re moving with family who will also be job-hunting, you should know that Pittsfield has a thriving job market. Jobs in this area are projected to grow by nearly 9% in the future, and the median household income here is $66,859.
Pittsfield houses two of Berkshire County’s largest medical facilities: Berkshire Health Systems and Berkshire Medical Center’s Hillcrest campus. Other nearby hospitals include:
- Fairview Hospital (Great Barrington, MA)
- Saint Peter’s Hospital (Albany, NY)
- Samaritan Hospital (Troy, NY)
- Samaritan Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus (Troy, NY)
- Baystate Franklin Medical Center (Greenfield, MA)
If you’re looking to work in post-acute care, you’ll find assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, home health associations, hospice, and more. Pittsfield also has specialty clinics that serve the rest of the county, such as gastroenterology, cardiology, mental health, osteopathic health, and more.
The mean travel time to work in this area is about 18 minutes, which is significantly shorter than the national average of nearly 27 minutes. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority runs nine bus routes throughout the region. You’ll also find a train station in the city center, with service lines to major cities in New England.
If you’re moving with young kids, you might be curious about your childcare options in Pittsfield. The average hourly cost of childcare here is $20.36 per hour. You’ll also find daycare centers and pre-kindergarten programs in town. School-aged kids might attend one of Pittsfield’s public schools.
Living in Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield offers scenic attractions, historic charm, and cultural diversity. In downtown Pittsfield, you’ll find museums, coffee shops, dining, and galleries. Outside of town, there are several lakes, ski areas, and trails to explore.
One of Pittsfield’s most renowned attractions is the Berkshire Museum, which features natural history, cultural exhibits, an aquarium, and special events for kids. Next door you’ll find the Colonial Theater, hosting the Berkshire Theater Group. Just around the corner in the town Common, the Pittsfield Farmers Market runs on Saturdays during the summer.
Looking for more local history? Visit the beautiful Hancock Shaker Village, a living history museum with unique buildings, working gardens, and a mercantile. The Herman Melville house is another local attraction, where you can tour the home where he wrote Moby Dick.
Pittsfield is known for its outdoor attractions, and if you’re a skier, snowboarder, hiker, biker, or other outdoor enthusiast, this could be a great area for you. Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary lies south of town, and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is to the northeast. The Bousquet ski area overlooks Pittsfield, offering a beautiful view of the trails year-round.
This area has a cold New England climate, characterized by frigid winters and humid summers. It’s partly cloudy all year, and winter days are usually between 15 and 31 degrees. Summers are between 59 and 79 degrees, on average.
Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states in the nation, yet Pittsfield boasts a more reasonable cost of living that’s 24.8% lower than the rest of the state. Typical homes here cost $263,800, which is lower than the national average of $338,100. If you’re planning to rent, you can expect an average two-bedroom to cost $1,480 per month, compared to $1,430 for the rest of the nation.
Find Nursing Jobs in Pittsfield, MA
Ready to find your next nursing opportunity? Whether you’re looking in Pittsfield or elsewhere, you can take the first step by signing up for nursing job notifications with IntelyCare.