How To Become An Occupational Health Nursing Director: What It Is and Career Path

What is an occupational health nursing director and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Michelle Cheshire

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an occupational health nursing director. For example, did you know that they make an average of $38.21 an hour? That's $79,478 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 28% and produce 136,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an occupational health nursing director?

Dr. Michelle Cheshire

Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs, The University of Alabama

Nurses are in high demand and I do not see that changing in the next 10 years. Nursing salaries are at an all time high. To optimize you salary potential, being able to articulate your worth to an agency is critical. Salaries differ depending on what shift you are willing to work. If you are willing to work evenings or nights in high demand areas you will find that the salaries reflect that need.

ScoreOccupational Health Nursing DirectorUS Average

Salary

6.2

Avg. Salary $79,478

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.1

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 7.12%

Black or African American 11.32%

Hispanic or Latino 15.18%

Unknown 4.29%

White 61.36%

Gender

female 81.98%

male 18.02%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an occupational health nursing director

Explore occupational health nursing director education requirements

Most common occupational health nursing director degrees

Bachelor's

42.6 %

Associate

28.4 %

Master's

20.9 %

Start to develop specific occupational health nursing director skills

Skills	Percentages
Home Health	26.58%
Patient Care	11.92%
CPR	9.84%
Infection Control	5.94%
Federal Regulations	5.82%

Complete relevant occupational health nursing director training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New occupational health nursing directors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an occupational health nursing director based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real occupational health nursing director resumes.

Research occupational health nursing director duties and responsibilities

Complete comprehensive assessments for all LTC residents which include managing falls, pain, skin integrity, and medications.
Implement and chair interdisciplinary rehabilitation committee.
Contribute to deficiency free biannual AHCA surveys.
Meet with interdepartmental supervisors to discuss changes or recommendations for improvements within ACHD.

Prepare your occupational health nursing director resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your occupational health nursing director resume.

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