Occupational health nurses earn salaries that closely track the broader RN market, with meaningful premiums for COHN certification, management experience, and high-demand industries like energy and government contracting. Because OHNs are classified under the same Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational code as all registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), specialty salary benchmarks come from a mix of BLS data, employer surveys, and salary aggregator platforms rather than a dedicated OHN data series.
| Benchmark | Annual salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| BLS national median (RNs, SOC 29-1141, May 2024) | $93,600 | BLS OEWS |
| OHN average (Salary.com, May 2026) | $68,719 | Salary.com |
| OHN average (PayScale, May 2026) | $81,919/yr ($39.43/hr) | PayScale |
| OHN average (PayScale avg, NursingEducation.org) | $85,733 | PayScale via NurseJournal |
| COHN-certified average (AAOHN 2022 survey) | $93,531 | AAOHN 2022 |
| COHN-S certified average (AAOHN 2022 survey) | $112,408 | AAOHN 2022 |
| Top-paying setting (employment services/HR staffing) | ~$101,918 | Glassdoor |
A note on data variance: OHN salary figures vary considerably across sources because the BLS does not publish a separate OHN occupational code. Salary aggregators (Salary.com, PayScale, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter) each use different methodologies and sample sizes. The AAOHN 2022 Compensation and Benefits Survey, which samples OHN practitioners directly, provides the most specialty-specific data available.
National salary overview
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median of $93,600 per year for all registered nurses (May 2024, SOC 29-1141). OHNs fall within this range, with overall averages from major salary platforms in the $68,000–$90,000 range depending on the platform’s methodology and geographic distribution of respondents.
The most meaningful OHN-specific data comes from the AAOHN 2022 Compensation and Benefits Survey, which found:
- Average starting salary across all OHN respondents: $82,409
- COHN-certified OHNs: $93,531 on average
- COHN-S certified OHNs: $112,408 on average
These AAOHN figures reflect self-reported compensation from practicing OHNs — a more relevant benchmark for the specialty than a general RN median.
PayScale’s database (218 OHN salary profiles as of May 2026) reports a median hourly rate of $39.43, equivalent to approximately $82,000 annually, with a range from $64,000 at the 10th percentile to $107,000 at the 90th percentile.
Salary by work setting
Work setting has a significant effect on OHN compensation. Industrial, energy, and government settings consistently outpace hospital employee health roles. The table below reflects data from multiple aggregator platforms and the AAOHN survey.
| Work setting | Typical salary range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, oil and gas, energy | $90,000–$120,000+ | Remote site premiums; solo-coverage roles command highest pay |
| Federal government (GS scale) | $75,000–$110,000 | GS-9 to GS-12; locality pay adds 15–35% in high-cost areas |
| Employment services / HR staffing | $85,000–$102,000 | Consulting and third-party OHN providers |
| Corporate / technology campuses | $80,000–$105,000 | Strong health promotion and benefits focus; metro premium |
| Manufacturing (automotive, aerospace, food processing) | $75,000–$95,000 | High OSHA compliance demand; union-adjacent settings often higher |
| Hospital employee health | $70,000–$90,000 | Closest to general RN wage; lower ceiling than industrial |
| Military contractor / defense | $80,000–$108,000 | Security clearance may be required; competitive with federal GS |
The highest salaries are concentrated in settings where the OHN is the sole healthcare provider, where regulatory exposure is high (federal contractors, mining operations), or where metro cost-of-living drives the compensation market upward.
Salary by state
The table below draws from BLS May 2024 OEWS data for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) and reflects the state-level pay environment for OHNs. Because OHNs are classified under the general RN code, these figures represent the RN wage floor and ceiling in each state — OHNs with COHN certification and industrial experience will typically sit at or above the state median.
| State | BLS RN median (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Minnesota | $94,320 |
| Colorado | $92,780 |
| Illinois | $91,640 |
| Maryland | $90,980 |
| Arizona | $89,340 |
| Texas | $88,120 |
| Florida | $86,540 |
| Georgia | $84,560 |
| Virginia | $83,720 |
| Ohio | $81,960 |
| Michigan | $81,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,440 |
| North Carolina | $78,960 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1141 (Registered Nurses). OHN salaries vary within each state based on industry, employer size, certification, and experience.
California and the Pacific Northwest represent the highest-paying markets for OHNs in the country. The energy corridor states (Texas, Alaska, Colorado, Oklahoma) often produce higher OHN salaries than their general RN medians would suggest, due to the concentration of mining, oil and gas, and defense contractors employing OHNs with hazard pay and remote premiums.
Federal government OHNs in high-cost cities benefit substantially from locality pay adjustments — a GS-11 OHN in the San Francisco locality zone earns meaningfully more than the same grade in a rural area.
COHN certification salary premium
The AAOHN 2022 Compensation and Benefits Survey provides the clearest data on the COHN certification premium. The survey found:
- Non-certified OHN average: ~$82,409
- COHN-certified average: $93,531 — approximately $11,000 more than non-certified
- COHN-S certified average: $112,408 — approximately $30,000 more than non-certified
The COHN-S premium is substantially larger, reflecting both the management and supervisory roles associated with that credential and the fact that many COHN-S holders are in Director of Occupational Health or regional management positions.
Salary.com’s benchmark data for occupational health staff RN roles shows a meaningful premium for candidates with OHN credentials, and most OHN job postings in industrial settings list COHN/COHN-S as a preferred or required qualification — making it effectively a gate into higher-paying positions rather than simply a negotiating chip.
The total investment in COHN certification ($550 in application and exam fees, plus continuing education costs) is recovered rapidly given the documented salary premium.
Salary by experience level
| Experience level | Typical annual salary range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (under 1 year in OHN role) | $65,000–$75,000 | Often entering from employee health or med-surg background |
| Early career (1–4 years OHN experience) | $72,000–$85,000 | PayScale reports median ~$78,700 at this stage |
| Mid-career (5–9 years, COHN certified) | $85,000–$100,000 | COHN certification typically achieved in this band |
| Experienced (10+ years, COHN or COHN-S) | $93,000–$115,000 | AAOHN survey median for COHN holders ~$93,531 |
| OHN Manager / Program Director (COHN-S) | $100,000–$130,000+ | AAOHN survey median for COHN-S holders ~$112,408 |
PayScale’s 218-profile dataset reports that early-career OHNs (1–4 years) earn approximately $78,700 annually, with a 12% increase seen in the experienced cohort. The AAOHN survey data suggests experienced, certified OHNs are near or above the BLS national RN median, with management and COHN-S holders significantly above it.
How to increase your earning potential
Earn COHN or COHN-S certification. The AAOHN data is clear: certification adds an average of $11,000 per year for COHN and up to $30,000 for COHN-S compared to non-certified OHNs. The credential also opens doors to positions that are restricted to certified candidates.
Add the CCM credential. The Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential from the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) complements COHN well and is valued by employers in insurance, corporate benefits, and disability management settings. OHNs with both COHN and CCM are positioned for higher-paying roles where case management is a primary function.
Move into management. The jump from staff OHN to OHN Manager or Director of Occupational Health is the single largest salary lever available. The AAOHN survey shows COHN-S holders (who are typically in management) earning approximately $30,000 more annually than COHN holders. Earning a COHN-S and building supervisory experience systematically is the direct path.
Target industrial and energy employers. Manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and energy employers pay measurably more than hospital employee health roles. If you are willing to work in industrial settings — including potentially remote or hazardous sites — the salary ceiling rises significantly.
Pursue federal government roles. Federal OHN positions at the GS-11 and GS-12 levels offer strong base salaries, locality pay in expensive metro areas, federal benefits packages (health insurance, pension, TSP retirement matching), and consistent raises. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy are the largest federal employers of OHNs.
Consider consulting. Independent OHN consultants with COHN-S credentials, regulatory expertise, and a strong employer network can earn $80–$150+ per hour through contract work. This path carries the trade-offs of self-employment, but experienced OHNs with niche expertise — OSHA compliance, return-to-work program design, expert witness work — can exceed salaried compensation significantly.
Pursue an MSN or graduate-level specialization. While not required for COHN, an MSN with an occupational health, nursing administration, or public health focus expands access to advanced practice, academic, and senior consulting roles. Nurses with MSN or DNP degrees in occupationally relevant fields can exceed $100,000 in NursingEducation.org’s salary data.
Negotiate for the right market. Geographic arbitrage is real in this specialty. An OHN willing to relocate from the Southeast to California, Oregon, or Washington, or to accept a remote site energy role in Alaska, can add $20,000–$50,000 to their annual compensation from geography alone.
For a broader view of how RN specialty salaries compare, see our registered nurse salary guide. For the career path and certification details behind these numbers, see how to become an occupational health nurse. Nurses with strong case management interests may also find the nurse case manager career guide useful.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for an occupational health nurse?
PayScale reports a median of approximately $82,000 annually as of 2026. The AAOHN 2022 Compensation Survey found an average starting salary of $82,409 for all OHN respondents. COHN-certified OHNs averaged $93,531 and COHN-S certified OHNs averaged $112,408. The BLS national median for all registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024.
Does COHN certification increase your salary?
Yes. The AAOHN 2022 survey found COHN-certified OHNs earned an average of $93,531 compared to $82,409 for non-certified OHNs — a premium of roughly $11,000. COHN-S certified OHNs averaged $112,408. Certification also opens access to positions that require the credential as a minimum qualification.
What is the highest-paying setting for occupational health nurses?
Mining, oil and gas, and energy settings typically pay the highest OHN salaries — $90,000–$120,000+ for experienced nurses in solo-coverage or remote roles. Federal government positions with GS-11 or GS-12 grades plus locality pay in high-cost areas are also among the highest-paying options.
What state pays occupational health nurses the most?
California has the highest BLS RN median at $137,690 (May 2024), followed by Hawaii ($119,710), Oregon ($113,440), Washington ($111,030), and Alaska ($109,210). Energy-intensive states like Texas, Colorado, and Alaska may pay OHNs above their state’s general RN median due to industry premiums.
How much do federal government occupational health nurses earn?
Federal OHN roles typically fall in the GS-9 to GS-12 range. GS-11 and GS-12 positions range from roughly $75,000–$110,000 before locality pay adjustments. Federal employees in high-cost areas receive locality pay supplements of 15–35%, significantly increasing total compensation.
Why do occupational health nurse salary numbers vary so much across websites?
The BLS does not publish a separate occupational code for OHNs — they are classified under SOC 29-1141 with all registered nurses. Salary platforms each use different methodologies and sample sizes. Specialty-specific data from the AAOHN Compensation and Benefits Survey is the most directly relevant benchmark for practicing OHNs.
Is occupational health nursing a well-paying nursing specialty?
Yes. COHN-certified OHNs earn at or above the national RN median, with COHN-S holders averaging over $112,000 in the AAOHN 2022 survey. The specialty also offers strong work-life balance with predominantly Monday–Friday schedules and minimal shift work — making total compensation attractive relative to hospital nursing roles that require nights, weekends, and holidays.