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$19

$47

$77

How much do entry level infection preventionist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level infection preventionist in the United States is $47.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.78 and $55.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Infection Preventionist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Infection Preventionist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a health-related field, foundational knowledge of epidemiology, and an understanding of infection control principles. Familiarity with surveillance software, data management systems, and basic certifications like CIC (Certification in Infection Control) are valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in collaborating with healthcare teams and educating staff. These skills are crucial for identifying infection risks, implementing prevention strategies, and ensuring a safe healthcare environment.

What are entry level infection preventionists?

Entry level infection preventionists are healthcare professionals who help prevent the spread of infections within healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. They typically assist with monitoring infection control practices, collecting and analyzing infection data, and educating staff on proper hygiene and safety protocols. Entry level infection preventionists work under the supervision of more experienced infection prevention professionals and play a key role in maintaining patient and staff safety. Most positions require a background in nursing, microbiology, or public health, and on-the-job training is often provided.

What is the difference between Entry Level Infection Preventionist vs Infection Control Coordinator?

AspectEntry Level Infection PreventionistInfection Control Coordinator
CertificationsCPIC or similar entry-level certifications often preferredCPIC or CIC certifications typically required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities, often in support rolesHealthcare settings, with more responsibility for program management
Job FocusAssisting with infection prevention protocols, data collectionOverseeing infection control programs, policy implementation

Infection Control Coordinator roles generally require more experience and responsibility, focusing on managing infection prevention programs, while Entry Level Infection Preventionists support these efforts with data and compliance tasks. Both roles often require similar certifications and work in healthcare environments, but the Coordinator position involves higher-level oversight.

What Does an Entry-Level Infection Preventionist Do?

As an entry-level infection preventionist, you help prevent the outbreak and spread of disease in a private or public health facility. In this role, you may educate staff about new and ongoing threats, research strategies to counter diseases, and assist with developing new safety guidelines as needed. As an entry-level employee, your main job is to support senior preventionist workers and learn more about preventing infections at your facility, including things like how to initiate quarantine procedures and how to verify the sanitation of new and used medical devices. Entry-level infection preventionists also help create reports on infection surveillance, provide prevention and control information as required by law, and meet with physicians, committees, and healthcare workers to explain recent efforts with continuous quality improvement methodologies.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry-level Infection Preventionists when starting in a healthcare setting?

Entry-level Infection Preventionists often encounter challenges such as adapting to a fast-paced environment, learning to interpret complex infection control data, and building rapport with multidisciplinary teams. Navigating regulatory requirements and staying updated on evolving best practices can also be demanding. However, most organizations provide mentorship, ongoing training, and regular team meetings to support professional growth and help new hires succeed in their role.
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Entry Level Infection Preventionist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Infection Preventionist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,408 per year, or $47.8 per hour.

Nurse (Infection Preventionist Program Manager)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Portland, OR • On-site

$116K/yr

Other

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Infection Prevention Program Manager Registered Nurse leads the Infection Prevention & Control Program for VA Portland Health Care System, ensuring regulatory compliance, directing system-wide prevention activities, and providing expert guidance to leadership and clinical teams. The role coordinates surveillance, mitigates infection risks, and supports evidence-based practices to promote safe, high-quality care across all care settings.Qualifications:Basic Requirements:
  • English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
  • Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
  • Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)
Preferred Experience
  • Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred.
  • Previous managerial experience.
  • Four (4) or more years of experience as an Infection Preventionist.
  • Four (4) or more years of direct nursing care experience.
  • Proficiency in use of Excel and Powerpoint; infection prevention surveillance software; and medical record review.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.
Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12978092.Grade/LevelScopeEducationNurse IIDemonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.Nurse IIIExecutes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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