How Much Do Public Health Nurses Make?
Public health nursing salaries can vary a lot depending on experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Public health nurses (PHNs) 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 nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Public Health Nurse Salaries
Public health nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Government
No Record Found
How Much Do Public Health Nurses Make?
Public health nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S., according to the BLS. Compared to other occupations, PHNs make about $35,000 more annually than the national average of $59,428, according to a report from Forbes.
Hourly pay for PHNs averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Public health nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Public health nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some public health nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer merit-based bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, a PHN’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to an above average $132,680, according to BLS data.
Here’s how the public health nurse pay bell curve plays out according to the BLS:
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Public Health Nurse Salaries
Aspiring public health nurses can reach this goal via a few different education paths. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offers a shorter option, typically finished in two years. To get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students attend four years of nursing school. Some BSN programs offer an accelerated option, which can be finished in as little as a year, but requires a previous degree or several prerequisites.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, PHNs with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
Further education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), can also raise a public health nurse’s salary.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $75,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Public Health Nurse Salaries
A PHN with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect that value. Once a nurse has some experience in their field, they can apply to test for certification in that specialty.
Public health nurses can test for their Certified Public Health specialty certification through the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Some PHNs also like to earn a National Healthcare Disaster Certification (NHDP-BC) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can cause a pay raise.
Location and Public Health Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for public health nurses. Some locations have more nurse unionization, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Public Health Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay public health nurses the most and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| 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 Public Health Nurse Salaries by City
Public health nursing salaries follow the same pattern as those of other occupations around the country. Wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than those in a small rural town in the Midwest.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| 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 Public Health Nurse Salaries
Public health nurses who work in prestigious organizations like the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization may earn higher salaries than those working for a smaller organization like a local health department. PHNs can also make more money in the business world, consulting and serving as executives.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Federal, State, and Local Government | $55.22 | $114,860 |
| Employment Services | $53.00 | $110,230 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Public Health Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A public health nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Public health nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. PHNs can also pursue higher salaries through certification, advanced degrees, and pursuing employment at larger organizations.
This information from ZipRecruiter highlights the different professions public health nurses may choose to pursue and the wages associated with each.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Public Health Leadership | $129,171 | $62.10 |
| Public Health Nurse Practitioner | $126,931 | $61.02 |
| Corporate Nurse | $110,440 | $53.10 |
| Work From Home Public Health Consultant | $102,027 | $49.05 |
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Public Health Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified PHN, and a prospective employer will likely choose a PHN with certification over another without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For public health nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees like an MSN or DNP for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Public health nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn a higher salary. This can look like managing a community health department, or it could mean earning a higher degree to address public health issues on a larger scale: nationwide or internationally.
Public Health Nursing (PHN) Salaries FAQs
1. What roles offer the highest pay for public health nurses?
The highest-paid public health nurses are those in Public Health Leadership, who make an average of $129,171 a year. Public Health Nurse Practitioners also earn one of the highest PHN salaries.
2. What do public health nurses make per hour?
Public 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 public 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).
