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Job outlook for occupational health nurses in the United States
Occupational health nurse job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected occupational health nurse job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 195,400 new jobs for occupational health nurses are projected over the next decade.
Occupational health nurse salaries have increased 10% for occupational health nurses in the last 5 years.
There are over 12,342 occupational health nurses currently employed in the United States.
There are 328,501 active occupational health nurse job openings in the US.
The average occupational health nurse salary is $67,887.
Are occupational health nurse jobs in demand?
Occupational health nurse job and salary trends over time
Occupational health nurse jobs over time
Occupational health nurse job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,342 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 12,095 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 12,078 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 11,955 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 11,772 | 0.00% |
Average occupational health nurse salary over time
Occupational health nurse salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $67,887 | $32.64 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $66,057 | $31.76 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $64,643 | $31.08 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $63,084 | $30.33 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $61,687 | $29.66 | +1.4% |
Occupational health nurse jobs by state
Most common states for occupational health nurses
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,581 | 118% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 851 | 113% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 954 | 110% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 651 | 104% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 6,800 | 99% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1,307 | 98% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 891 | 93% |
| 8 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 6,012 | 90% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 611 | 88% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 883 | 84% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 2,618 | 83% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 586 | 79% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 2,239 | 77% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 443 | 76% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 1,446 | 75% |
| 16 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 15,435 | 74% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 5,516 | 74% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 4,143 | 74% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 1,495 | 72% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 4,302 | 71% |
Most common cities for occupational health nurses
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax | 2 | 8% | $74,828 |
| 2 | Arlington Heights | 3 | 4% | $68,377 |
| 3 | Dearborn | 3 | 3% | $80,010 |
| 4 | Redwood City | 2 | 2% | $104,264 |
| 5 | Aurora | 2 | 1% | $63,074 |
| 6 | Providence | 2 | 1% | $79,415 |
| 7 | New York | 3 | 0% | $95,132 |
| 8 | Philadelphia | 3 | 0% | $80,803 |
| 9 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $72,216 |
| 10 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $87,205 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $56,906 |
Occupational Health Nurse job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of occupational health nurse experts
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Molloy College
Prairie View A & M University
George Fox University
Mars Hill University
Elmhurst University
Oakland University
Hope College
Brenau University
University of Hawaii Maui College
University of New Haven
Barry University
Adelphi University
Jackson State University
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
OSF HealthCare
San Jose State University
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP
Associate Teaching Professor of Nursing & NLN Certified Nurse EducatorPennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health Nurse?
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP: The earliest approach for the individual new grad is to consider several offers; don't agree to the first job offer—no matter how flattering and rosy it seems. You may end up agreeing to it in a short time, but give yourself a chance to consider other offers as well. Think about secondary gains. One offer may be a little less than another, but money isn't everything. Secondary benefits may include employer reimbursement or payment for continuing education (required by many states for re-licensure), cross-training in or certification for a clinical specialty that pays better (and thus a job you can bid on later), a promotion scheme that supplies specific benchmarks to the new grad to aim for to hit higher salary targets, and benefits plans that cover more out of pocket costs for health care, dental and vision insurance, 401k, and similar non-salary compensation. You may make more money at one job, but end up paying out of pocket for high deductibles or non-covered care, than you might at a job that has a much better benefits package, even if the pay is a little less.
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC
ProfessorMolloy College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health Nurse?
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Starting a career in nursing can be both exciting and intimidating. Some general advice for new nursing graduates embarking on their professional journey may include: Never Stop Learning, Develop Strong Communication Skills, Cultivate Critical Thinking, Prioritize Self-Care, Build a Strong Support System.
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health Nurse?
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: Daily, nurses with the health care team to manage and coordinate patient care which include physical assessments-assessing, observing, and evaluating the patient's response to care, administering medication and treatments, assisting with procedures, and providing health education to patients and their families. Additionally, nurses often supervise other unlicensed health care team members including licensed vocational nurses, patient care technicians (PCTs) and nursing students.
What will help Occupational Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: I can't speak for everyone but what I like about being a nurse is the ability to connect one on one with the patient and their family. Patients allow us the privilege of providing care and comfort during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. It is the connection that we share that is the most rewarding. I believe that is this care and education that provides patients with the opportunity to make knowledgeable decisions about their health and well-being. What is most challenging about nursing is the increasing complexity of the patient care provide. Often patients enter the health care system later, having delayed care variety or reasons including lack of access, socio-economic challenges, unawareness, etc. This often increases the complexity of the care needed and nurses are required to have a broad knowledge of many things. I wouldn't say that they dislike the nursing profession, but the work is challenging.
What Occupational Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alison Alaimo MSN, RN: Nurses spend their days or nights assisting clients and their loved ones on their healthcare journeys. They possess a variety of tools and knowledge in which to do this. They assess and monitor patients, which is often a very dynamic process. They are trained to provide emergency response treatment. They administer medications and perform various aspects of patient care. They provide education to patients and loved ones and advocate for patients' rights and needs. Nurses maintained detailed documentation on all information pertaining to patients. They also work closely as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Finally, they also maintain their own professional development as changes in healthcare are frequent and/or they are interested in pursuing advanced degrees or certifications. Nurses work tirelessly to promote positive patient outcomes
What will help Occupational Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Natalie Heywood DNP, RN, CNE: I think one of the most important and prevalent skills that will be prevalent in the next 3-5 years in nursing is the ability to communicate with patients in a therapeutic manner that supports trust and mutual respect. Additionally, a skill that will be vital to current and future nurses is the ability to provide individualized care. Our patient populations are increasingly complex and unique, and it will be important for health providers to care for all individuals based on their needs and where they are at the moment. Lastly, as we see the increase of technology and AI use in healthcare, we need to be technology proficient and confident, as well as flexible in the use of these tools to improve patient care.
Kara Sump MSN, CNE
Assistant Professor of NursingGeorge Fox University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Occupational Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kara Sump MSN, CNE: Communication will never go away, but is moving to a highly virtual format. You need to be able to articulate well in writing and orally. You also need to be relatable and personable. Working interprofessionally and collaboratively is going to be the expectation. Managing high volumes of information in shorter time periods. This is usually seen through the electronic health records and electronic communication.
What will help Occupational Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Kara Sump MSN, CNE: Truly consider the culture of the work environment that you will be joining- you can do this at the interview by asking questions about the unit culture, how feedback is given, what priorities the managers have for their nurses, and how do they envision supporting your work-life balance. Find a work buddy, mentor, and outside of the work team who can support you in the ups and downs of nursing. Begin identifying areas of your self-care that you are not being fulfilled such as emotions, learning, body, or spirit. What can you do to care for those areas that do not demand a high amount of time and energy. When you do work on those areas allow yourself to be fully present and enjoy them.
Clare Chambers
Assistant Professor of NursingMars Hill University
Nursing Department
What soft skills should all Occupational Health Nurses possess?
Clare Chambers: Soft skills are a critical part of any healthcare profession. The key skills for nurses specifically are leadership, interdisciplinary teamwork, intrinsic motivation, effective communication, excellent work ethic, and having a positive attitude. Emotional intelligence and empathy are also gaining more recognition as critical to long-term career success and effective patient care.
Diane Salvador Ph.D.
Executive Director and ProfessorElmhurst University
Department of Nursing and Health Sciences
What hard/technical skills are most important for Occupational Health Nurses?
Diane Salvador Ph.D.: New nurses should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in basic nursing care and procedures. It is important to realize that each hospital has its own policy and procedure to follow, so taking advantage of your nurse preceptor and orientation program will ensure you are familiar with these basic procedures.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health Nurse job market given the pandemic?
Kristen Munyan: I don't know that the nursing profession is at a point where we can predict the impact of COVID-19 on our job market yet. Right now we are still in extraordinarily high-demand, and hospitals continue to see COVID-19 related admissions that require high levels of nursing care. There have been discussions about how the pandemic will impact interest in the profession going forward, the retirement plans of existing nurses and graduate school enrollments. This is all still developing. Nursing is still responding to the immediate demands of the pandemic.
In my opinion, I think that the pandemic has reinforced the positive image of nurses on a national stage. In 2020, hospital-based nurses carried the burden of surging COVID-19 admissions, created care innovations to improve patient outcomes and worked tirelessly to save lives. In 2021, community-based nurses are leading us out of this dark time by organizing and running vaccine clinics and educating the public. I believe we will continue to see a high demand for nursing professionals in all-settings, and in nurses going back for advanced degrees that allow them advanced practice roles.
What soft skills should all Occupational Health Nurses possess?
Kristen Munyan: By far the most important skill is the ability to think critically and identify safety concerns for the patient. Nursing is often thought of as being skill-focused. Our skills are vital, but they are much quicker to develop and refine than the cognitive aspect of our work. A graduate nurse who has a well-developed ability to see the patient's "big picture" will be far more effective than someone who has focused only on skills development. A graduate who can think in a critical way can coordinate the many disciplines involved in a patient's care, connect the details, provide education and keep the patient safe. Nursing is far more than just physical skills.
How have salaries changed over time for Occupational Health Nurses?
Kristen Munyan: Nursing continues to offer one of the best paying entry-level salaries for college graduates. There is some variation in salary dependent on geographic region, shift worked (midnights vs days, etc.) and specialty, but nurses generally command competitive pay. What we have seen become a trend now is that nurses who have worked for a few years are being offered the ability to travel to areas where there are shortages of nurses. These positions are generally temporary and pay premium rates. Nurses with critical care experience are particular in-demand for traveling positions since the pandemic.
Sara Hoeve Ph.D.
Director of Student Teaching and Teacher CertificationHope College
Education Department
What will help Occupational Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Sara Hoeve Ph.D.: Most K-12 salary scales depend on successful teacher evaluations, years of experience and continuing education, such as a Master's Degree in Education or in a specific content area. Teachers can also increase their earnings by accepting additional responsibilities like coaching a sports team, directing a play, proctoring a state test or hosting a student teacher. Although teachers are expected to complete some tasks during the summer, many staff members take on a second job during the months when school is not in session.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Occupational Health Nurses?
Sara Hoeve Ph.D.: In the field of Education, the pandemic has created an even greater need for skilled teachers and support staff in K-12 schools. In the short term, many additional tasks have been assigned to our educators, such as preparing instruction for remote learners, maintaining safe distances between students, monitoring masks, checking temperatures, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Once the threat of the virus wanes, most experts expect that our teachers will adapt to a "new normal," taking ideas and tools that we implemented during pandemic teaching and applying them in new situations. Education graduates will enter a field that requires greater adaptability and collaboration, as they will be expected to create meaningful Hy-flex learning opportunities for students.
Monica Pozowicz
Assistant Professor of NursingBrenau University
Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Occupational Health Nurses?
Monica Pozowicz: Job prospects today during the pandemic and beyond, need to possess an abundance of computer, information technology, and abilities to manage different software platforms. It is possible to run businesses virtually however, employees need an inordinate amount of expertise using computer media. The ideal candidate would be able to navigate social media platforms, virtual meeting platforms, virtual selling, virtual ordering, and be able to troubleshoot system malfunctions and/or failures. Any certificates in information technology would be a plus.
Mary Farmer MSN, RN
Associate Professor, Practical Nursing Program CoordinatorUniversity of Hawaii Maui College
Allied Health Department
What soft skills should all Occupational Health Nurses possess?
Mary Farmer MSN, RN: Soft skills for nursing assistants would include:
-time management skills
-empathy and compassion for others
-ability to foster positive communication skills
Michael Urban
Senion Lecturer, Program DirectorUniversity of New Haven
Allied Health, School of Health
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Occupational Health Nurses?
Michael Urban: Yes we will see an impact on graduates and even those who will be looking to enroll. Students in undergraduate programs at many universities are able to take classes on a pass/fail option where it normally have been a letter grade. This can create issues as some graduate programs require an applicant to have a B or higher grade thus the course for a pre-required class on a pass/fail might exclude them form certain programs who do not or cannot waive the grade requirement for current students due to accreditation standards. Graduates also depending on the work they were studying might have to wait until the new working environment emerges as many companies are noting that they can do business with less people and space. Other jobs though will see a boom such as those in healthcare and IT as the pandemic has created a need for these positions. Healthcare will see various positions increase in demand as people will need to rehabilitate after being impacted by the global pandemic and IT to support the shift to a rapid growth on online business. Students not in those fields can be very creative to see where they can fill gaps and help transform and market a shift in a traditional business also such as we have seen with curbside pick-up for stores and restaurants.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Occupational Health Nurses?
Michael Urban: Current students should seek to take some entry-level computer programing course work, quality improvement courses in lean six sigma and project management, and then I would encourage people to take a basic general law, business and policy course. These will be vital skills to help understand various changes as a leader that occurs with policy, law, and financial management. I would also recommend a general exposure to these topics to make sure the student has an understanding of what they would want to do if they seek to start their business. Other things to look at when picking courses are how can you maximize any educate to qualify or even obtain as part of a class the needed skills for advance credentials such as lean six sigma, healthcare long-term care certifications, environmental science, or coaching and mentoring certifications. These general areas with a return to the Paris climate accord along with companies looking to be leaner at the executive level to reduce overhead will make you fill critical gaps in any organization.
What will help Occupational Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Michael Urban: In the field of occupational therapy, and advance degree at the doctoral level over time with experience in addition to advance certifications in leadership skills such as mentoring, coaching, lean six sigma, project management, policy, and such forth will help to maxing their long-term earning potential. For those who are looking to seek advance certifications in areas such as hand therapy, sensory integration and other areas, look at what is required while in school and seek out additional courses and learning experiences with local clinics to help gain your knowledge and skills to qualify and pass the exams sooner.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health Nurse job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Antonio Fernandez: The biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic are already here in continuous growth. From the early stages in the fight to control the expansion of the virus, it was evident that to achieve some success in reducing the number of cases it was indispensable to diminish the risk of exposure of healthy individuals and given the uncertainty of actual contamination among asymptomatic individuals some mandatory measures of isolation, quarantine, and lockdown became inevitable leading to the closure of businesses of all types with the few exceptions of absolutely vital activities. This new order of carrying out working activities led to the quick expansion of distant working mode and the almost universal implementation of online working. Online working led to quick and efficient adoption of models of communication and transmission of data. Working meetings reports presentation and discussions, strategies development, schedules implementation were all completed through Webex, Zoom, or any other of the available online group discussion platforms. Overnight we transitioned from face-to-face, personal interaction, collective meetings in single rooms to remote, distant, virtual rooms where meetings were conducted in all formats and with great variations in the number of participants. Do not doubt that the immediate biggest trend in the job market will be the complete remote, online, virtual communication, and data discussion. This new trend imposed by the pressure of isolation and quarantine is not going anywhere and, in many activities, had unquestionably proven more effective and lower cost than the traditional activities. Do not doubt, all the models that have been efficiently working during these months will be maintained and many others will be tried. Working in isolation from home or very small hubs with a very reduced number of people will replace the traditional, classical office format.
How have salaries changed over time for Occupational Health Nurses?
Dr. Antonio Fernandez: In the field of Higher Education, salaries have evolved slower than other fields like electronics, computer sciences, software development, and lately internet communication platforms. The implementation of remote learning has not positively impacted the salaries in this field.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Occupational Health Nurses?
Susan Zori: The coronavirus pandemic will no doubt have a lasting impact on all of us let alone nursing graduates. In the midst of the pandemic there was a spotlight on nurses and the nursing profession. Nurses are advocates, innovators, teachers, and clinical experts. The bravery and perseverance of nurses managing this extraordinary situation will be remembered for a long time to come.
The toll on mental health experienced by nurses needs to be addressed both now and as we continue move through this pandemic. The dedication of so many nurses as they put their health and the health of their families at risk to care for so many stricken with Covid-19 will long be remembered. Many pre-licensure students chose to continue their education during this time and are excited to become a member of this profession. Many of our students worked on the front lines during the pandemic as front line and essential workers. Many students in addition to course work held jobs as unlicensed personnel in healthcare, performed covid tests and administered vaccines all while continuing with their nursing education.
This is a great time to be a nurse, there is a projected shortage of nurses and as many nurses retire there will be an even greater demand for nurses. This combined with the need for nurses in innovative settings such as primary health care, telehealth, home care the field is wide open with many possibilities for graduate nurses.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health Nurse job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mustafa Younis Ph.D.: Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we experienced high unemployment and low job growth. However, there is a demand for jobs on high-tech jobs, public health, and in the medical field.
What soft skills should all Occupational Health Nurses possess?
Kim Raines: Graduates have been confronted with harsh realities. They have had considerable remote learning which may have made them wiser to the value of being in person compared to a recording or reading and learning independently. Of course, there is a place for both. Some graduates have been even more personally affected by the pandemic. They may have suffered through the grim and enduring loss of hospitalized loved ones, many of whom were completely isolated. Graduates need to understand fully; the power of human touch, and the how and why superb communication - however limited it may be - is a lifeline for patients and families. Teamwork, flexibility and interpersonal skills take on a new meaning in the pandemic healthcare world. New graduates will need to focus on deliberate practices for staying well themselves (physically and emotionally) but also be extraordinarily conscious of ways to support their co-workers in real time and perhaps off the job as well.
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health Nurse?
Lori Wiegand: As a 14-hospital Ministry, our greatest hiring need is nurses in a range of roles. In a typical year, the first year as a nurse can be challenging, making the classroom transition to bedside nurse. COVID-19 has only increased that pressure as we deal with ever-changing regulations and guidance, fears for the health and safety of our Mission Partners, and staffing challenges created when someone or a member of their family gets sick. To help ease the transition, OSF HealthCare has created the First Year as an OSF Nurse program developed for launch in January. All new graduates and new-hire RNs will be required to participate in this program, specifically designed to support them throughout their first year with OSF HealthCare. A broad range of aspects will be incorporated as new hires work with established nurses in this mentorship program.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health Nurse job market given the pandemic?
Michelle Hampton Ph.D.: I don't know if I would call these trends, but the challenges I'm hearing and learning about from my students, who are already nurses, are:
Acute care settings are challenged with increased workload and understaffing. They are cross-training nurses from other departments to work in ICU or other places, for which they might not have the experience to meet the hospital's needs or organization. They're also using registry nurses.
Nurses in settings that provide non-urgent services might be laid off or working reduced hours, i.e., elective surgery centers.
I had signed up as an emergency worker with the State of California and, from time to time, receive emails that skilled nursing facilities need staff also.
Essentially, there's always work in nursing, but what varies is the setting, and new nurses will have to consider the level of risk they can accept and are prepared to handle.
Karla Nygren MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, CPN, TCRN
CPN-at-Large Representative, Pediatric Nursing Certification BoardPNCB
What type of skills will young Occupational Health Nurses need?
Karla Nygren MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, CPN, TCRN: These graduates will need to be adaptable to change. Skill sets may be altered and adapted to the ever-changing need of the workforce. Technology will change (telehealth, etc.), and this will lead to workplace environment changes also.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Occupational Health Nurses to find work opportunities?
Karla Nygren MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, CPN, TCRN: Opportunities will exist everywhere, from rural to frontier to urban. If they aren't visible when they graduate, wait a bit, and the pendulum will swing.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Occupational Health Nurses?
Karla Nygren MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, CPN, TCRN: Absolutely will. This isn't our last pandemic. This pandemic is simply testing us; preparing us for the future.