[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-educator/”]Nurse educators[/hen-ui-link] teach in different settings, such as colleges and universities, healthcare facilities, public health organizations, and within the community. If you find teaching and mentoring rewarding and prefer a set schedule with limited physical demand, becoming a nurse educator can be an excellent career choice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Median Salary for Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nurse educator’s salary depends on the subject taught, your teaching schedule, and other job responsibilities. The median annual nurse educator salary varies little from the median annual registered nurse (RN) salary of $75,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Median Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-2xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold my-0″]$75,470[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source[/hen-ui-text]: BLS, 2020[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Salary Range (25-75 percentile)[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-2xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold my-0″]$57,660-$100,330[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source[/hen-ui-text]: BLS, 2020[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Highest Paying States for Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The states that offer the highest nurse educator salaries both have high [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]costs of living[/hen-ui-link] and high demand for nurses. For example, in New York, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm?AreaName=&AreaNameSelect%5B0%5D=1&Name=&NameSelect%5B0%5D=664&items_per_page=100&order=PercentChange&sort=desc” target=”_blank”]projected employment growth[/hen-ui-link] for nurses between 2018 and 2028 is 24.6%, more than twice the 12.1% projected for the U.S. overall.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In Florida, demand for nurses is greater because of the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsReports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=NonVitalIndRateOnly.Dataviewer” target=”_blank”]high median population ages[/hen-ui-link] in most Florida counties, especially Charlotte County, with a median age of 59.1. This drives demand for both nurses and nurse educators.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Highest Paying States for Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]State[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Florida[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual Salary”]$116,650[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Washington, D.C.[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual Salary”]$111,940[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Massachusetts[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual Salary”]$106,950[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]California[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual Salary”]$106,420[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]New York[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual Salary”]$98,850[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do Nurse Educator Salaries Compare to Other Nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the typical [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-educator/salary/”]nurse educator[/hen-ui-link] salary is higher than the salary for RNs in general, it is lower than the typical salary for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and nurse midwives. Many nurse educators hold a master of science in nursing (MSN), a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), or other advanced degree or certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]3 Ways to Increase Pay As a Nurse Educator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can take several steps to improve your nurse educator salary, such as increasing your qualifications or changing employers. With the rise of virtual education, you may be able to change employers without having to move to a new location.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Become a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certification demonstrates your commitment to nursing education and increasing your advanced knowledge. To become a CNE, you need an RN license; an MSN or a DNP; a nurse education major, a nurse education certificate, at least nine hours of graduate-level courses in nurse education, or two years experience teaching nursing in an academic setting; and a passing grade on the certification examination.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The DNP is the highest possible degree in practical nursing, so earning one puts you in a position to earn a higher nurse educator salary. It takes time and effort, but most DNPs find it is [hen-ui-link href=”https://nurse.org/articles/how-to-get-a-dnp-is-it-worth-it/” target=”_blank”]an excellent investment[/hen-ui-link]. The demand for DNPs is rising, especially as so many nursing schools face a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage” target=”_blank”]nursing faculty shortage[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Change Employment Settings[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]General medical and surgical hospitals offer the highest nurse educator salaries, an average annual $119,050. Most of these hospitals require a DNP. By comparison, junior colleges offer an average nurse educator salary of $75,190, though these schools are far less likely to require a DNP or CNE certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Educator Salaries[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are nurse educators in demand?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Demand is high for nurse educators, especially those with a DNP. The national [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage” target=”_blank”]nurse faculty vacancy rate[/hen-ui-link] is 7.2%, and the lack of nurse educators is one of the many factors behind the nursing shortage. Most nursing schools could accept more students if they had more faculty.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is an MSN required to become a nurse educator?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing schools and hospitals require at least an MSN for teaching positions. However, you can still work as a nurse educator with a BSN, especially if you have extensive experience or are willing to work part time. However, DNPs and MSNs earn the highest nurse educator salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the fastest path to becoming a nurse educator?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The fastest path to becoming a nurse educator is to earn an MSN in nursing education. You can choose from several on-campus or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-online-nurse-educator-programs/”]online nursing education MSN programs[/hen-ui-link]. Most MSNs require approximately two years to complete. However, you can earn a higher nurse educator salary with a DNP.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the average annual salary for nurse educators?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How much do nurse educators make? With the growing demand for nurses and a national shortage of nursing faculty, nurse educator salaries are increasing. The average annual salary for nurse educators as of May 2020 was $84,060, compared to $73,150 in 2015, an almost 14% difference, according to the BLS.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]