upper level job

Nursing Education Program Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Nursing Education Program Director make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursing Education Program Director in the United States is $149,978 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

However, a Nursing Education Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $173,108
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,078 to $162,085
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,781
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $132,078 10% $115,781 90% $173,108 75% $162,085 $149,978 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Nursing Education Program Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $162,085 $13,507 $3,117 $78
Average $149,978 $12,498 $2,884 $72
25th Percentile $132,078 $11,007 $2,540 $63
Check out Nursing Education Program Director Job Openings in the United States
Education Program Director

Ombudsman Educational Services - Mansfield, OH

Program Director Nursing Compliance

Wright State University - Dayton, OH

Program Director

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Director of Nursing

Southwest Healthcare Services - BOWMAN, ND

Search More Nursing Education Program Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Nursing Education Program Director Salaries

A Nursing Education Program Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Nursing Education Program Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nursing Education Program Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Nursing Curriculum Coordinator (2-4 years): $105,334
  • Nursing Curriculum Specialist (4-5 years): $125,310
  • Nursing Education Program Director (5+ years): $149,988
  • Head of Nursing Curriculum (5+ years): $170,713
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Nursing Curriculum Coordinator2-4 years$105,334
Nursing Curriculum Specialist4-5 years$125,310
Nursing Education Program Director5+ years$149,988
Head of Nursing Curriculum5+ years$170,713
$105,334 Nursing C...
$125,310 Nursing C...
$149,988 Nursing E...
$170,713 Head of N...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Nursing Education Program Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $189,170
  • San Francisco: $187,099
  • Oakland: $183,156

What Skills Can Increase a Nursing Education Program Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 13.32% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Staff Development (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Refers to all the policies, practices, and procedures used to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies of staff to improve the effectiveness and efficiency both of the individual and the University.
  • Tutoring (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): A Tutor is responsible for helping students learn and understand new concepts and complete assignments.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 13.32%
Staff Development 1.89%
Tutoring 1.17%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Nursing Education Program Director's salary.
  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Results Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity
$178,474
19%
People Management
$167,975
12%
Results Oriented
$163,476
9%
Work Ethic
$163,476
9%
Organization Development
$160,476
7%
Patient Care
$158,977
6%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Nursing Education Program Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nursing Education Program Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Nursing Education Program Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,457 and $142,810).

Nursing Education Program Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nursing Education Program Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 4.4%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 32.0%
Masters 49.7%
Doctorate 10.3%
view as graph

Nursing Education Program Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nursing Education Program Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Nursing Education Program Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Nursing Education Program Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Head of Nursing Curriculum role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $170,800 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Nursing Education Program Director

Salaries for a Nursing Education Program Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $149,497 in 2023 to around $149,833 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nursing Education Program Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Nursing Education Program Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$149,497
2024
$150,941
2025
$149,833
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $149,497
2024 $150,941
2025 $149,833
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Nursing Education Program Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Nursing Education Program Director

Here are companies hiring for Nursing Education Program Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Nursing Education Program Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nursing Education Program Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Nursing Education Program Director

1. What is the hardest nursing position?

The hardest nursing positions often include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse, as they operate in high-pressure environments with critical patient care. These roles demand quick decision-making and resilience. Additionally, a Nursing Education Program Director can earn between $125,154 and $161,024, reflecting the significant responsibilities in shaping nursing education.

2. Who are the highest paid nurses in USA?

The highest paid nurses in the USA include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, General Nurse Practitioners, and Nursing Education Program Directors. The salary for Nursing Education Program Directors ranges from a minimum of $125,154 to a maximum of $161,024, with a mid-salary of $142,296. Other high-paying roles include ICU Nurses and Certified Nurse Midwives.

3. What comes after Director of Nursing?

After the Director of Nursing, the next position is typically the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). CNOs are nursing administrators who play a crucial role in the leadership team of a healthcare organization, representing the highest level of nursing leadership. The salary for a Nursing Education Program Director ranges from $125,154 to $161,024, with a midpoint of $142,296.

4. Where do nurse educators make the most money?

Nurse educators, particularly those in leadership roles like Nursing Education Program Directors, can earn significantly higher salaries. The salary range for this position is between $125,154 and $161,024, with a median salary of $142,296. This indicates that nurse educators in advanced roles can achieve earnings well above the average salaries reported in various states.

5. What degree do you need to be a Director Of Nursing?

To become a Director of Nursing, you typically need an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS), or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.). The salary for this role ranges from $125,154 to $161,024, with a median salary of $142,296, reflecting the level of education and experience required.

6. What is the average age of a Nursing Director?

The average nursing director age is 46 years old. In terms of compensation, the salary for a Nursing Education Program Director ranges from a minimum of $125,154 to a maximum of $161,024, with a mid-salary of $142,296. This reflects the significant responsibility and expertise required for the role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job