Nursing Instructors and Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Nursing Instructors and Teachers Make?
Nursing Instructors and Teachers earn a median annual salary of $79,940 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,950 at the 10th percentile to $130,040 at the 90th percentile — a range of $82,090. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $103,780.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,950 |
| 25th percentile | $62,210 |
| Median (50th) | $79,940 |
| 75th percentile | $102,020 |
| 90th percentile | $130,040 |
Nursing Instructors and Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $103,780 |
| Hawaii | $102,180 |
| New Jersey | $102,090 |
| Oregon | $101,640 |
| California | $99,010 |
| Texas | $97,610 |
| New York | $93,640 |
| Alaska | $92,050 |
| Nevada | $84,660 |
| Montana | $84,550 |
| Florida | $83,940 |
| Delaware | $83,420 |
| North Dakota | $83,130 |
| Connecticut | $81,490 |
| New Hampshire | $81,260 |
| Maryland | $80,990 |
| Michigan | $80,740 |
| Colorado | $80,440 |
| Massachusetts | $80,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,920 |
| South Carolina | $79,900 |
| Wisconsin | $79,810 |
| Nebraska | $79,120 |
| Illinois | $78,870 |
| Virginia | $78,850 |
| Vermont | $78,800 |
| Maine | $78,770 |
| North Carolina | $78,740 |
| Minnesota | $78,110 |
| Washington | $78,000 |
| New Mexico | $77,850 |
| Alabama | $77,270 |
| Indiana | $77,270 |
| Tennessee | $76,620 |
| Georgia | $75,950 |
| West Virginia | $75,550 |
| Idaho | $75,420 |
| Utah | $75,380 |
| Wyoming | $75,280 |
| Kentucky | $74,850 |
| Rhode Island | $74,720 |
| Ohio | $74,570 |
| Missouri | $74,000 |
| Mississippi | $73,160 |
| Louisiana | $72,990 |
| Iowa | $71,910 |
| Kansas | $70,960 |
| Arizona | $68,360 |
| Oklahoma | $65,100 |
| Arkansas | $64,330 |
| South Dakota | $63,940 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Nursing Instructors and Teachers
Nursing Instructors and Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,950 – $62,210 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$79,940 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$102,020 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $130,040+ |
How to Earn More as a Nursing Instructors and Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Nursing Instructors and Teachers in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA earn $120,840 — $40,900 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($102,020) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Nursing Instructors and Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nursing Instructors and Teacherthis career | $79,940 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 |
| Health Informatics Specialist | $103,790 |
| Health Education Specialist | $63,000 |
| Psychology Teacher | $80,330 |
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SOC: 25-1072.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.