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How Much Can a Nurse Educator Make?
Discover the average salary in nursing education and learn what you need to do to take the next step and become a nurse instructor. A new you IS possible.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a nurse educator is $87,090 per year. Salaries can vary based on location, education, and experience.
| State | Annual Average | Annual Median |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $82,490 | $77,270 |
| Alaska | $94,990 | $92,050 |
| Arizona | $75,190 | $68,360 |
| Arkansas | $68,370 | $64,330 |
| California | $101,770 | $99,010 |
| Colorado | $84,730 | $80,440 |
| Connecticut | $93,090 | $81,490 |
| Delaware | $89,730 | $83,420 |
| District of Columbia | $107,570 | $103,780 |
| Florida | $88,970 | $83,940 |
| Georgia | $74,340 | $75,950 |
| Hawaii | $97,820 | $102,180 |
| Idaho | $83,570 | $75,420 |
| Illinois | $83,400 | $78,870 |
| Indiana | $80,740 | $77,270 |
| Iowa | $73,820 | $71,910 |
| Kansas | $71,980 | $70,960 |
| Kentucky | $76,450 | $74,850 |
| Louisiana | $73,790 | $72,990 |
| Maine | $83,270 | $78,770 |
| Maryland | $85,580 | $80,990 |
| Massachusetts | $90,830 | $80,140 |
| Michigan | $83,140 | $80,740 |
| Minnesota | $83,060 | $78,110 |
| Mississippi | $75,670 | $73,160 |
| Missouri | $76,520 | $74,000 |
| Montana | $85,630 | $84,550 |
| Nebraska | $83,670 | $79,120 |
| Nevada | $86,640 | $84,660 |
| New Hampshire | $80,760 | $81,260 |
| New Jersey | $99,990 | $102,090 |
| New Mexico | $74,280 | $77,850 |
| New York | $99,170 | $93,640 |
| North Carolina | $82,550 | $78,740 |
| North Dakota | $83,460 | $83,130 |
| Ohio | $74,930 | $74,570 |
| Oklahoma | $67,400 | $65,100 |
| Oregon | $109,570 | $101,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,980 | $79,920 |
| Rhode Island | $76,580 | $74,720 |
| South Carolina | $85,470 | $79,900 |
| South Dakota | $69,190 | $63,940 |
| Tennessee | $80,260 | $76,620 |
| Texas | $104,640 | $97,610 |
| Utah | $78,430 | $75,380 |
| Vermont | $80,530 | $78,800 |
| Virginia | $80,180 | $78,850 |
| Washington | $85,680 | $78,000 |
| West Virginia | $78,680 | $75,550 |
| Wisconsin | $79,410 | $79,810 |
| Wyoming | $73,570 | $75,280 |
All salary data courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. | ||
Nurse educator job outlook
The overall employment of nurse educators is expected to grow 17% from 2024-2034, much faster than other occupations according to the BLS. The projected increase in nurse educator jobs is believed to be due in part to an aging population that is living longer and thus has a greater need for nursing care.
What do nurse educators do?
Nurse educators teach and train students in nursing school to help them prepare to become nurses. They are often instructors for clinical professionals who need continuing education or training. Oftentimes, they are responsible for developing academic curriculum, such as lectures and lab or clinical work.
Nurse educators may hold a variety of positions with varied titles such as professor, director, or faculty member. As an instructor, they design educational programs and curriculum to help ensure courses meet the state accreditation requirements, overseeing lab and clinical work, and providing feedback as students interact with patients. Read more about what a nurse educator does and what’s it’s like to be a nurse instructor.
How can I become a nurse educator?
To become a nurse educator, you will need an active, unrestricted RN license and a master degree in nursing education. This may take approximately 2-5 years, depending on where you are in your nursing education or career, the number of credits you can transfer (if you are actively pursuing your undergraduate degree or are preparing for an advanced nursing degree), and whether you choose an in-person or online full or part-time schedule.
Herzing University offers multiple online nursing education programs for current nurses:
- Accelerated RN to MSN in Nursing Education - for ADN/ASN holders
- RN to BSN to MSN in Nursing Education track - for ADN/ASN holders who also seek to earn a BSN on the way in an online RN to BSN program
- MSN in Nursing Education program (BSN to MSN) for BSN holders
- Nurses who already hold an MSN may consider a postgraduate certificate in nursing education to get educated faster and start their new career path.
Finding help paying for school
You can earn up to 85% in loan forgiveness through the NFLP. Commit to a career as a nursing instructor and you can potentially save immensely on cost as part of the National Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). You’ll need to find a full-time position within 12 months after graduation. The longer you remain employed full-time, the more you can save—up to 85% over 4 years.1
Take the first step.
As a nurse educator, you can help prepare the next generation of nurses and enjoy a rewarding career and high pay. Due to the high demand for nurse educators, now is a great time to start on the path to becoming a nurse educator!
Learn more about Herzing's nursing education programs
1. In exchange for post-graduation employment as nurse faculty meeting specific criteria, the program authorizes the cancellation of up to 85% of any such loan (plus interest thereon).
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.