Public health salary guide for nurses

The employment outlook for nurses is strong, as an aging population increases demand for those who provide daily care to patients. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not break out public health salary information, but it discusses the role of public health nurses in its information on registered nurses. The BLS projects strong job growth of 22 percent for RNs between 2008 and 2018.

Understanding public health salary variations

Public health salary information often varies by the specific industry segment, the geographic location and the particular health care provider. For example, the BLS explains that RNs who are public health nurses may travel to patients' homes, schools, community centers or other sites.

The American Nurses Association calculates that in 2005, 14.9 percent of all RNs worked in community/public health environments. The BLS reports that in May 2009, the nationwide median annual salary of all RNs was $66,530, which translates into a mean hourly wage of $31.99.

The BLS lists these as the five top-paying states for RNs in 2009, with their mean annual wages:

ExploreHealthCareers.org, a site that partners with national foundations, professional associations and educational institutions, estimates the 2011 salary for public health nurses at between $51,000 and $55,000, with a promising job outlook.

Three common educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor's degree, an associate degree and a diploma from an approved nursing program. Additional training may be needed to work in the public health sector.