Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median $80,250 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$80,250
$38.58 per hour
Range
$48,800 – $129,500
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
77,960
across the U.S.
▲0.4%
Pay trend: The median for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. rose from $79,940 (May 2024) to $80,250 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.0%.
What nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary do
Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +17.1% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 8,500
Employment of nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 17.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 8,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$65,286
per year · effective tax rate 18.6%
$5,440Monthly
$2,720Twice a month
$2,511Every 2 weeks
$31.39Hourly
- Federal income tax$8,825
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,976
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,164
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$65,286
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,800 | $23.46 | $41,391 |
| 25th percentile | $63,510 | $30.53 | $53,210 |
| Median (50th) | $80,250 | $38.58 | $65,286 |
| 75th percentile | $101,090 | $48.60 | $79,947 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,500 | $62.26 | $99,779 |
Best cities for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $92,050 | $69,196 | $61,474 | 5,290 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,440 | $61,583 | $59,445 | 3,840 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $79,680 | $60,668 | $53,421 | 2,350 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $92,050
- Chicago, IL — $80,440
- Los Angeles, CA — $79,680
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $129,530 | +26.8% | $91,486 | $103,160 – $129,640 | 1,890 |
| District of Columbia | $107,770 | +3.8% | $78,454 | $65,250 – $173,600 | 110 |
| Delaware | $98,170 | +17.7% | $72,754 | $61,800 – $137,820 | 240 |
| Nevada | $96,500 | +14.0% | $76,718 | $57,670 – $121,190 | 870 |
| Connecticut | $95,500 | +17.2% | $72,337 | $60,790 – $130,380 | 1,380 |
| Idaho | $90,890 | +20.5% | $69,062 | $46,940 – $145,940 | 430 |
| Alaska | $85,650 | −7.0% | $69,085 | $60,530 – $133,090 | — |
| Massachusetts | $85,130 | +6.2% | $64,682 | $62,200 – $138,240 | 2,280 |
| Texas | $84,930 | −13.0% | $68,578 | $50,760 – $137,530 | 6,830 |
| Wisconsin | $84,700 | +6.1% | $65,308 | $53,760 – $114,440 | 1,760 |
| Maryland | $84,050 | +3.8% | $64,330 | $33,830 – $126,460 | 840 |
| New York | $82,950 | −11.4% | $63,303 | $49,840 – $145,230 | 6,340 |
| Nebraska | $82,720 | +4.6% | $64,139 | $62,980 – $121,250 | 300 |
| Virginia | $82,550 | +4.7% | $62,971 | $57,380 – $118,110 | 1,670 |
| Colorado | $82,530 | +2.6% | $63,967 | $39,850 – $127,800 | 1,350 |
| Florida | $82,410 | −1.8% | $66,805 | $56,830 – $109,910 | 4,320 |
| Utah | $82,320 | +9.2% | $64,004 | $50,190 – $106,850 | 580 |
| California | $81,960 | −17.2% | $62,031 | $47,840 – $164,450 | 5,610 |
| Washington | $81,630 | +4.7% | $66,257 | $58,320 – $133,840 | 1,300 |
| Minnesota | $81,280 | +4.1% | $62,007 | $61,760 – $123,810 | 1,340 |
| North Dakota | $80,710 | −2.9% | $65,295 | $61,020 – $106,380 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $80,400 | +2.1% | $62,692 | $59,770 – $110,620 | 2,560 |
| Tennessee | $80,050 | +4.5% | $65,145 | $60,090 – $109,830 | 1,150 |
| Louisiana | $79,960 | +9.5% | $63,069 | $49,370 – $127,910 | 440 |
| Alabama | $79,690 | +3.1% | $61,172 | $48,100 – $122,930 | 1,460 |
| Maine | $79,600 | +1.1% | $60,633 | $59,970 – $118,810 | 420 |
| South Carolina | $79,540 | −0.5% | $61,171 | $60,510 – $128,210 | 1,150 |
| New Mexico | $79,380 | +2.0% | $62,109 | $42,680 – $109,880 | 320 |
| Illinois | $79,150 | +0.4% | $60,739 | $47,690 – $103,220 | 4,940 |
| Arizona | $78,980 | +15.5% | $62,627 | $50,400 – $119,880 | 1,930 |
| Michigan | $78,870 | −2.3% | $61,214 | $36,400 – $124,460 | 1,740 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,460 | −1.8% | $61,618 | $47,280 – $107,640 | 4,290 |
| Rhode Island | $78,340 | +4.8% | $61,621 | $50,890 – $106,220 | 260 |
| New Hampshire | $78,310 | −3.6% | $63,921 | $63,100 – $102,870 | 320 |
| Oregon | $78,050 | −23.2% | $57,738 | $46,900 – $130,810 | 450 |
| Montana | $77,980 | −7.8% | $60,644 | $48,560 – $99,800 | 240 |
| Georgia | $77,720 | +2.3% | $60,095 | $44,480 – $111,820 | 1,590 |
| Iowa | $77,360 | +7.6% | $60,965 | $49,450 – $104,820 | 770 |
| New Jersey | $76,980 | −24.6% | $60,272 | $32,220 – $128,910 | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $76,700 | +2.9% | $61,462 | $31,380 – $101,340 | 4,290 |
| Missouri | $76,340 | +3.2% | $59,885 | $48,610 – $119,050 | 1,040 |
| Indiana | $76,080 | −1.5% | $60,137 | $48,740 – $107,420 | 1,520 |
| Mississippi | $75,060 | +2.6% | $59,364 | $61,150 – $106,400 | 1,050 |
| Wyoming | $72,590 | −3.6% | $59,897 | $49,360 – $101,580 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $71,920 | −3.9% | $57,026 | $47,730 – $105,880 | 1,130 |
| Oklahoma | $67,840 | +4.2% | $54,048 | $51,780 – $84,830 | 640 |
| Vermont | $66,660 | −15.4% | $53,786 | $63,510 – $95,600 | — |
| South Dakota | $66,630 | +4.2% | $55,704 | $59,160 – $97,260 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $63,090 | −1.9% | $50,625 | $48,960 – $93,060 | 830 |
| Kansas | $62,870 | −11.4% | $49,988 | $47,940 – $91,220 | 470 |
| West Virginia | $62,210 | −17.7% | $50,102 | $47,400 – $90,270 | 400 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $107,310 | Doctoral or professional degree | +17.9% |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,260 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,340 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.0% |
| Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,340 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.7% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,940 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.7% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,350 | Doctoral or professional degree | +0.2% |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | 0.0% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,620 | Master's degree | +2.2% |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.1% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $77,640 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary is $80,250 a year ($38.58 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,800 and the top 10% earn over $129,500. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $129,530. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 77,960 people work as nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary nationwide.