Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing equips registered nurses with the specialized expertise needed to promote and protect the health of workers across diverse industrial and occupational environments. This program focuses on preventing work-related injuries and illnesses through proactive health assessments, environmental risk evaluation, and evidence-based interventions delivered both on-site and in clinical settings.
- Public and Community Health: Explores population-level health strategies, health disparities, and community engagement methods to improve worker well-being and reduce occupational disease burdens.
- Occupational Safety and Health: Covers principles of hazard identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of safety protocols to maintain safe working conditions across industries.
- Occupational Health Surveillance: Involves systematic monitoring of worker health to detect early signs of occupational illness and evaluate the effectiveness of preventive programs.
- Case Management: Focuses on coordinating comprehensive care plans for injured or ill workers, ensuring timely interventions and seamless transitions between healthcare providers and employers.
- Fitness for Duty Testing: Teaches assessment techniques to determine a worker’s physical and mental readiness to perform job-specific tasks safely and effectively.
- Medication, Allergies, and Immunization: Addresses the management of workplace health risks related to pharmaceutical use, allergic reactions, and vaccination programs tailored to occupational exposures.
- Emergency and Ambulatory Care: Provides training in immediate response to workplace incidents and the delivery of outpatient services to support ongoing worker health maintenance.
- Applicable Laws and Regulations: Examines federal, state, and industry-specific standards—including OSHA guidelines—governing worker health, safety, and legal accountability in occupational settings.
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing degrees, including Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,663,650 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners 29-1171 | $129,210 | $97,960 - $169,950 | 307,390 | $62.12 |
| Registered Nurses 29-1141 | $93,600 | $66,030 - $135,320 | 3,282,010 | $45.00 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072 | $79,940 | $47,950 - $130,040 | 74,250 | N/A |
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $85,040 in Arkansas to $135,317 in California—a 59% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,663,650 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 3 institutions offering Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing is found at George Washington University (GW) (12 graduates), University of Michigan, Flint (9 graduates), and Weber State University (WSU) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 22 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Other Award
|
9 | Flint, Michigan | Public | umflint.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing programs
How much can I earn with a Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing degree?
Salaries for Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $129,210 annually, while Registered Nurses earn around $93,600. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $135,317 compared to $85,040 in Arkansas. Approximately 3,663,650 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing programs?
Currently 3 accredited institutions offer Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include George Washington University (GW) (12 graduates), University of Michigan, Flint (9 graduates), and Weber State University (WSU) (1 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3 in 2010 to a peak of 43 in 2020, before declining slightly to 22 in 2023-24. This represents a 633% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 3,663,650 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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