How Much Do Occupational Health Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence occupational health nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Occupational health nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective occupational health nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on maximizing earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Occupational Health Nurse Salaries
Occupational health nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Employment Services
$110,230
How Much Do Occupational Health Nurses Make?
In the U.S., occupational health nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts occupational health nurse salaries well above average.
Occupational health nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Occupational health nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Occupational health nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some occupational health nurses work 12-hour shifts, and 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.
In the lower salary range, occupational health nurses can make an average of $63,720, while the higher end averages closer to $132,680, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Occupational Health Nurse Salaries
All occupational health nurses 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 the 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, occupational health nurses 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 Occupational Health Nurse Salaries
Occupational health nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN), including:
- Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN)
- Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S)
- Case Management (CM)
Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Occupational Health Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Occupational Health Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally pay occupational health nurses the highest, while the Southeastern states pay 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 Occupational Health Nurse Salaries by City
The cost of living doesn’t just differ by state but by population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if occupational health nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small company 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 Occupational Health Nurse Salaries
Occupational health nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many occupational health nurses, employment services (agencies) and outpatient care centers pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Employment Services | $53.00 | $110,230 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can an Occupational Health Nurse’s Salary Grow?
An occupational health nurse’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 an Occupational Health Nurse
Occupational health nurses can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For occupational health nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for occupational health nurses 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, occupational health nurses 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 an occupational health nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Occupational Health Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for occupational health nurses?
The highest-paid occupational health nurses are those working for Employment Services, who make an average of $110,230 a year, or $53.00 per hour.
2. What do occupational health nurses make per hour?
Occupational health nurses 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 occupational health nurses 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).
4. How can occupational health nurses get paid more?
Occupational health nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.
5. Which degree gives occupational health nurses the highest pay?
To become an occupational health nurse, candidates must earn a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Of the two, a BSN typically offers the highest pay for occupational health nurses.
