How Much Do Occupational Health Nurses Make?

Occupational health nurses combine their knowledge of nursing and business to foster healthy workplaces. Businesses rely on their skills to develop programs and policies to protect workers and communities from illnesses and injuries on the job.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spotlight approaches to employee health, occupational health nurse salaries continue to increase, along with their demand.

According to Payscale data from June 2022, the average occupational health nurse salary is $75,650, which amounts to $35.45 per hour. The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) reports a median annual salary of $75,000. This figure puts the earning potential for occupational health nurses on par with other registered nurses, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median salary of $77,600 for all RNs.

Factors that influence earning potential for an occupational health nurse include location, employment sector, experience, and education. Large private sector companies typically offer the highest-paying jobs.

Although state-specific data for occupational health nurse earnings is unavailable, BLS data for RNs indicates that the highest-paying locations for nurses are California, Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Alaska. Other states with solid RN salaries are clustered in the Northeast, like Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.

In general, the highest-paying states for nurses also have some of the highest costs of living. In Hawaii, for example, the cost of living is almost twice that of Mississippi, the least expensive state. Higher costs for housing and other expenses can offset these states’ bigger paychecks.

Salaries for these healthcare professionals are competitive, but there are ways to increase earning potential. In addition to paving the way to a higher occupational health nurse paycheck, these strategies improve job skills and performance, opening doors to additional career opportunities.

Although it is possible to work in occupational health as an RN with an associate degree, most employers prefer to hire occupational health nurses who have completed bachelor’s-level education. A bachelor’s degree is required for the COHN-S certification.

Occupational health nurses work in many settings, including hospitals and medical clinics, private businesses, and the government. Insurance companies, schools and universities, community agencies, and nonprofit agencies also hire occupational health nurses.

Clinical experience is a must for an occupational health nurse, as they are often called upon to provide assessments, diagnoses, and treatment for occupational and non-occupational conditions. Other critical skills include case management, health and safety education and training, business management, and legislative and regulatory knowledge.

State-specific data for occupational health nurse pay is unavailable. The highest-paying areas for all RNs are California, Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Alaska.