Male Nurses: No Longer A Rarity

One of the few brights spots in the economy has been the fast-growing health care field. As a result, more male workers are entering the booming sector, and an interesting phenomenon has emerged: The nursing profession is becoming more male.

The proportion of men who are working as nurses in America has tripled since 1970, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Ten percent of nurses are now male, compared to just 2.7 percent in 1970. And the newest entrants to the field are earning more and making on average about $10,000 more than their female colleagues, according to the study. Male nurses earn an average of $60,700 a year and female nurses just $51,100.