Occupational Health Nurse Salary in 2026
Occupational health nurses provide healthcare services in workplace settings, managing injuries, conducting health screenings, and promoting employee wellness and safety programs.
Median Salary
$97,550
$8,129/mo
Entry Level
$72,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$116,100
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141, the closest published occupation to Occupational Health Nurse) at a national median of $97,550 per year (mean $101,420), or $46.90 per hour, with 3,379,720 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Occupational Health Nurse Overview
Occupational health nurses provide healthcare services in workplace settings, managing injuries, conducting health screenings, and promoting employee wellness and safety programs.
Education
Bachelor's Degree (BSN)
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
3.4M
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$46.90/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,129
Local evidence pages
High-intent Occupational Health Nurse salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
Occupational Health Nurse Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Occupational Health Nurse salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Occupational Health Nurse Salary
$101,000
$8,417/month · $3,885/biweekly · $48.56/hr
Occupational Health Nurse Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Occupational Health Nurse field.
Entry-level Occupational Health Nurses earn around $72,900, while the top 10% earn $132,150 or more.
Top Paying States for Occupational Health Nurses
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $115,000 | +$17,450 |
| New York | $112,000 | +$14,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,000 | +$450 |
| Texas | $96,000 | $-1,550 |
| Ohio | $93,000 | $-4,550 |
Top Paying Cities for Occupational Health Nurses
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $135,560 | +$38,010 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $119,720 | +$22,170 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $101,180 | +$3,630 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $99,830 | +$2,280 |
| ColumbusBLS metro | $83,900 | $-13,650 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Registered Nurses in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Occupational Health Nurse Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Occupational Health Nurse from entry level to expert.
$72,900
0-2 years
$95,000
3-7 years
$116,100
8-14 years
$148,200
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Occupational Health Nurse Salary FAQ
How much does a Occupational Health Nurse make in 2026?
The median salary for a Occupational Health Nurse in the United States is $97,550 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141); the mean is $101,420. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $72,900, senior professionals around $116,100, and top earners at $148,200 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Occupational Health Nurse?
A Occupational Health Nurse typically requires a Bachelor's Degree (BSN) with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Workplace Health, Injury Assessment, Health Screenings. Relevant certifications such as COHN or COHN-S can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Occupational Health Nurses?
The job market for Occupational Health Nurses is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 3.4M Occupational Health Nurse positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Occupational Health Nurses the most?
The highest-paying states for Occupational Health Nurses include Texas, California, New York. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $96,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Occupational Health Nurse salary?
To increase your Occupational Health Nurse salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Workplace Health and Injury Assessment. Pursue certifications such as COHN. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Houston. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $72,900 to $116,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Occupational Health Nurse Salary
How we calculate Occupational Health Nurse salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $97,550, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Registered Nurses; BLS mean $101,420; BLS hourly median $46.90.
- Entry-level ($72,900) and senior-level ($116,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 3,379,720 Registered Nurses jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree (BSN), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $97,550; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Occupational Health Nurse compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Health Nurse job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Occupational Health Nurse salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Workplace Health, Injury Assessment, Health Screenings), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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