How Much Do Nurse Health Coaches Make?
Several factors can influence nurse health coach salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide salary data specifically for nurse health coaches, the salary data for registered nurses applies. This guide will walk any prospective nurse health coach through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Nurse Health Coach Salaries
Nurse health coaches can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
How Much Do Nurse Health Coaches Make?
According to the BLS, nurse health coaches make an average of $45.42 per hour in the U.S. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts nurse health coach salaries well above average.
Nurse health coach compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Nurse health coach average annual salary
$94,480
Nurse health coach average hourly wage
$45.42
If a nurse health coach works shifts in a hospital during “normal working hours,” they earn their base salary. Any hours worked in the evening, night, or weekend come with an hourly pay increase. Hospitals may also offer extra shifts with bonuses attached.
According to the BLS, nurse health coaches can make an average of $63,720 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $132,680.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Nurse Health Coach Salaries
All nurse health coaches must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Some nursing programs can be completed in as little as 12 months through an accelerated option, which requires previously earned prerequisites. With either education path, nurses must pass their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, nurse health coaches with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $75,000 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Nurse Health Coach Salaries
Nurse health coaches can earn specialty certifications like the Nurse Coach (NC-BC) and the Health and Wellness Nurse Coach (HWNC-BC) through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC), or the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (HBC-HWC) credential, offered by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Nurse Health Coach Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Nurse Health Coach Salaries by State
In general, nurse health coaches are paid the highest on the coasts, while those in the Southeastern states are paid the lowest.
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Nurse Health Coach Salaries by City
The cost of living differs by state and population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if nurse health coaches work for a large insurance company in a city of millions, they will likely earn more than those who work in a private practice in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Nurse Health Coach Salaries
Nurse health coach compensation can also vary depending on the work environment. For example, employment services such as insurance companies, medical suppliers, and other profit-based entities can pay more than hospitals or private medical practices.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $47.22 | $98,220 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $45.40 | $94,440 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Nurse Health Coach’s Salary Grow?
A nurse health coach’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or take part in committees, and get on a management track.
Pay also rises with each year of experience. Most medical facilities offer new hires an hourly rate based on years of experience. So, even if a nurse changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Nurse Health Coach
Nurse health coaches can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors pave the way to a higher charge nursing salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
Many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN for nurse health coaches with an ADN, which typically increases their earning potential.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for nurse health coaches often depends on location, and a move to a new city can come with a higher salary. Keep in mind, though, that with a higher salary may also come a higher cost of living.
3. Earn Certification
By earning a specialty certification, nurse health coaches can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
4. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase a nurse health coach’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Nurse Health Coach Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for nurse health coaches?
The highest-paid nurse health coaches are those working in Outpatient Care Centers, who make an average of $102,640 a year, or $49.35 per hour.
2. What do nurse health coaches make per hour?
Nurse health coaches make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay nurse health coaches the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
