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Job outlook for public health nurses in the United States
Public health nurse job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected public health nurse job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 195,400 new jobs for public health nurses are projected over the next decade.
Public health nurse salaries have increased 10% for public health nurses in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,183 public health nurses currently employed in the United States.
There are 310,843 active public health nurse job openings in the US.
The average public health nurse salary is $60,319.
Are public health nurse jobs in demand?
Public health nurse job and salary trends over time
Public health nurse jobs over time
Public health nurse job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,183 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 15,859 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,837 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 15,676 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 15,436 | 0.00% |
Average public health nurse salary over time
Public health nurse salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60,319 | $29.00 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $58,694 | $28.22 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $57,437 | $27.61 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $56,051 | $26.95 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $54,810 | $26.35 | +1.4% |
Public health nurse jobs by state
Most common states for public health nurses
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 1,008 | 116% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 702 | 113% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,481 | 110% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 7,478 | 109% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 801 | 106% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 680 | 98% |
| 7 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1,276 | 96% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 905 | 94% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 5,832 | 87% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 876 | 83% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 616 | 83% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 1,654 | 79% |
| 13 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 2,467 | 78% |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 5,029 | 75% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 9,494 | 74% |
| 16 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 8,589 | 74% |
| 17 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 15,288 | 73% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 1,398 | 73% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 422 | 73% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 4,036 | 72% |
Most common cities for public health nurses
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | 2 | 6% | $57,026 |
| 2 | Arlington Heights | 2 | 3% | $55,402 |
| 3 | Portland | 2 | 3% | $57,322 |
| 4 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $67,378 |
| 5 | San Mateo | 2 | 2% | $98,579 |
| 6 | Topeka | 2 | 2% | $51,427 |
| 7 | Chandler | 2 | 1% | $60,726 |
| 8 | Worcester | 2 | 1% | $72,136 |
| 9 | Akron | 1 | 1% | $53,642 |
| 10 | Chicago | 5 | 0% | $55,257 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $46,669 |
| 12 | Columbus | 3 | 0% | $52,157 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $90,419 |
| 14 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $58,733 |
| 15 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $84,827 |
Public Health Nurse job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of public health nurse experts
Michigan Technological University
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Molloy College
The University of Tampa
Harding University
University of South Florida
Hartwick College
Shepherd University
George Fox University
Troy University
University of Wyoming
University of Maine
University of Southern Maine
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
University of Detroit Mercy
Stephen F Austin State University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Preventative health measures, educating people on the importance of movement, interpersonal skills and the ability to explain to clients and patients their health. Having a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, & biomechanics and how it relates to daily health.
What will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Take advantage of the connections you've made during your undergraduate degree. Professionals that you've met shadowing, interning, at conferences can all help you and guide you. Don't be afraid to continue your education through certifications and conferences. There is always more to learn and it can make you even more marketable, and will help you expand your connections.
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 a Public 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 will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Specialize, Further Education, Negotiate, Explore Alternative Settings, Stay Updated.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Dr. MaryAnn D'Alesandro DNP, MSN, RN, CNOR, NI-BC, CNE: The most important to skills to have and/or learn are critical thinking, trusting, and strengthening their gut intuition, and being adaptable to unpredictable situations and changing environments. The pandemic taught us that in many ways. Common sense and critical thinking are more important than you can imagine. But the most important skill is being okay being a life-long learner and understanding that no 2 days will be the same.
Marcus Binns MSN-NE, RN
Assistant ProfessorHarding University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Marcus Binns MSN-NE, RN: With technologies like AI becoming more prominent, nursing is a field that will stand out because it requires human intervention to provide hands-on care, perform skills, and critically think. That being said, I think nurses will become increasingly exposed to AI decision-making tools being utilized in medicine. What I think will be most important is utilizing those tools to streamline your tasks and decision-making, while at the same time being aware that your human interventions are still vital to notice things the algorithm misses while also providing compassionate care.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: God gave you two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Remain open-minded and stay in touch with your mentors. We should always be learning. Find your path and your niche by doing what makes you happy. Don't chase the money. If you are happy and doing what you love and are passionate about, the money will come.
What will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Lorena Marra MS, FNP-C: The skills that will be more important as the field of nursing continues are those that will prepare the nurse for patients with higher acuity (they are sicker!). Nurses will have to continue to integrate knowledge from other sciences into nursing science-understanding chemistry, biology, psychology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, sociology, and others in order to make the best clinical decisions for the patient. Nurses will need to expand patient-centered care to focus on multiple factors, not just the specific health need, but psychological considerations as well as financial needs. Nursing should also look to continuing care beyond the usual space and incorporate ideas of community health in their care. Nurses will need to use research skills to help advance health care and improve health outcomes for all. Nurses will need to use advanced technology to help support efforts to improve patient safety and quality care outcomes. Nurses also need to continue to uphold the legal and ethical considerations that they have in the past.
Lisa Zerull PhD, RN-BC
Assistant Professor of NursingShepherd University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Lisa Zerull PhD, RN-BC: Excellent clinical judgment, Flexibility and resiliency, Positive attitudes, Positive change agents—don't be part of the problem—be part of the team to effect positive change
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Kari Sandau MSN, RN, PCCN, CNE: Having good customer service and people skills will never go out of style. You can have all the knowledge and technical skills required to be a nurse, but if you don't know how to connect with people and care, you will be missing what we call the 'art' of nursing. I believe that technology will continue to become more integrated into healthcare systems, so it is important to have comfort with how we can use technology to improve care and patient outcomes. Healthcare is constantly changing, and nurses need to be innovative and adaptable.
Kayla Jackson RN BSN
BSN Success CoachTroy University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Public Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kayla Jackson RN BSN: In the next 3-5 years, I believe nurses will need to be increasingly proficient with technology. As healthcare is becoming more and more digitized, it will be a crucial skill for nurses to learn and adapt to the technological advancements we will see with electronic health records, telehealth platforms and other advancing technology. In addition to being proficient with technology, nurses will need to become more culturally competent as our patient populations are growing more diverse. It will be imperative to understand and address the unique needs of individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
Karen Gorton PhD, RN, FNP, MS
Associate Dean, Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wyoming
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Public Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Karen Gorton PhD, RN, FNP, MS: In nursing, the ability to think critically within the clinical context, communication, and assessment skills will continue to be very important. You, as the nurse, are with the patient for more hours than any other provider. Your ability to look at the patient combined with your assessment, their current issues, their lab values, and clinical presentation will be the difference in their outcome. Once you put your pieces together, your ability to clearly communicate your findings with the providers will advocate for the patient and their care.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Jordan Porter DNP, APRN, FNP-BC: In this field, where the environment is constantly changing and the stakes are always high, it's critical for new nurses to prioritize emotional agility. What I mean by that is having the courage to face tough emotions, being curious about them rather than fearful, and treating yourself with compassion as you work through them. This isn't just about handling stress; it's about aligning these experiences with your core values and purpose. For example, Adam Grant in his book 'Hidden Potential' really hits the nail on the head. He talks about becoming a discomfort seeker, a relentless learner, and embracing imperfections along the way. These aren't just tips; they're necessary traits to navigate the complexities of healthcare with resilience and adaptability. I believe mastering this kind of emotional agility is as crucial as any clinical skill a nurse learns.
Dr. Debra Gillespie PhD, RN, CNE
Associate Professor of NursingUniversity of Southern Maine
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Public Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Debra Gillespie PhD, RN, CNE: Salary depends upon experience and location. As a new grade you may have the opportunity to ask if there is a set salary or a range. Location is also important as many rural organizations do not have the resources as larger facilities have. Working in large urban areas organizations try to stay competitive with other organizations including salaries.
What will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Debra Gillespie PhD, RN, CNE: ask questions and don't put too much pressure upon yourself. Be eager to learn new things, and stay on top of new initiatives in nursing and healthcare. Become a lifelong learner.
What Public Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Cindy Krentz DNP, RN, ACUE: Entering the nursing profession at present offers numerous advantages. Firstly, there's a widespread shortage of nurses nationwide, making nursing a highly sought-after career. With the aging population and retiring nurses, there's a pressing need for new nurses to fill these vacancies. Additionally, nursing offers diverse career paths, allowing individuals to transition between different specialties if desired. Moreover, the field boasts high earning potential, job stability, and flexibility in scheduling.
What will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Cindy Krentz DNP, RN, ACUE: Nursing encompasses a wide range of specialties, from forensic and flight nursing to hospice care, hospital nursing, research, and public health nursing, among others. Regardless of the specific role, the fundamental task common to all nurses is assessment. This involves evaluating patients' physical, mental, and overall well-being. Physically, nurses conduct examinations, monitor vital signs, assess pain levels, and consider the broader context to provide comprehensive reports to healthcare providers. Given that nurses are present round-the-clock in hospitals, they play a crucial role in relaying their assessments to providers, who typically visit once or twice a day.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Becky Farmer MSRS, RT (R)(M): Soft skills, our new grads sometimes forget we are in the patient care business. Someone's mom, aunt, dad, grandpa are the ones we are caring for and we must listen well and take the best care of them possible. That's what they will remember.
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE
Associate Clinical Professor, Associate Dean for Baccalaureate ProgramsWhat general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE: To maximize your salary potential you should consider going back to school and pursuing your doctorate degree from a high quality, reputable institution. There are many programs that offer BSN to doctorate pathways and that will enhance earnings potential.
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Detroit Mercy
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C: Nursing remains an excellent career path, characterized by its evolving landscape and opportunities, continual growth, and soaring demand in a variety of settings. Nursing guarantees job stability, possibility for both personal and professional advancement, and the satisfaction of positively impacting people's lives.
Dr. Erin Bailey DNP, APRN, FNP-C
MSN CoordinatorStephen F Austin State University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Erin Bailey DNP, APRN, FNP-C: Learn from everyone! Learn what is good and learn what not to do from those that are not. Managers will notice. Treat all patients and coworkers fairly. As a new nurse, volunteer for the nights and holiday differentials. People notice when you do and you make more. If you have debt to pay off, consider the residency programs that will help you do that. The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program of 2024 is also a good place to look. This way you can save more of your salary.
Van Whaley DC, EdD
Assistant Professor-in-ResidenceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Nutrition Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Specificity in training or certifications definitely can increase someone's salary potential. Also, there is a wide variety of jobs (and pay rates) within most fields. Someone in private practice may make two times more than someone with the same credentials working at a non-profit. However, those two would have very different experiences and demands in their work demands.
What will help Public Health Nurses increase their earning potential?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Integration, cooperation, and critical thinking. Today's top healthcare includes virtual doctor visits, multiple places doing tests, and a centralized location that organizes this data to best help the patient. The days of a lone practitioner treating a community are replaced by a team of healthcare providers taking care of an individual.
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Graduate Program Chair, Department of Special Education & Communication DisordersOmaha
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Nurse?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: There are a number of skills that will become increasingly important in health and wellness fields over the next 3-5 years. One of these is expanding capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration. Efficiently and successfully addressing complex health, wellness, and/or educational issues often requires collaboration across different professional disciplines. Effective communication is essential for these kinds of collaborations. You will need to be able to contribute to a team and work well with others to explain complex concepts specific to your area of the field with clients and colleagues as well as provide complementary - not overlapping or contradictory - clinical services with your professional partners. Additionally, cultural competence -showing respect and understanding of cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values that differ from your own - will become increasingly important for effective clinical practices within a pluralistic society. Finally, skills related to successful and appropriate remote care delivery are important to cultivate. The rise of tele-medicine, tele-therapy, and remote client monitoring will require health and wellness professionals to adapt their skill sets so they can not only provide high-quality care through in-person interactions, but also through remote formats.
What Public Health Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: To maximize your salary potential as a new professional in health and wellness fields, I encourage you to research salary trends and expectations for entry-level positions in your specific professional and geographic areas. Salaries can vary substantially depending on work setting and geographic location. We see this a lot in my own field of speech-language pathology. Research the cost of living in different areas and consider relocating if it's a viable option for you and your salary may be higher relative to living expenses there. Be open to opportunities for professional growth! You can achieve growth not only through advancements or promotions within your organization, but sometimes through lateral moves as well if these lateral opportunities provide you with new experiences and skills that can enhance your overall value as an employee. Enhancing your professional value and capacity for meaningful contributions can lead to increases in your earning potential over time.