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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursing Education Program Director in Illinois is $152,914 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.
However, a Nursing Education Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Nursing Education Program Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $165,892 | $13,824 | $3,190 | $80 |
| Average | $152,914 | $12,743 | $2,941 | $74 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,660 | $11,222 | $2,590 | $65 |
Empowered Staffing - Chicago, IL
ATS Institute of Technology, Nursing School - Chicago, IL
Bickford Senior Living - ROBEIN, IL
Bickford Senior Living - PEKIN, IL
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Curriculum Coordinator | 2-4 years | $107,422 |
| Nursing Curriculum Specialist | 4-5 years | $127,780 |
| Nursing Education Program Director | 5+ years | $152,924 |
| Head of Nursing Curriculum | 5+ years | $174,035 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Nursing Education Program Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Nursing Education Program Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $162,199. While startup companies pay approximate $138,217.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $138,217 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $145,906 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $156,895 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $162,199 |
For Nursing Education Program Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu, Government & Nonprofit, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Nursing Education Program Director positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nursing Education Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu, Government & Nonprofit | $198,788 | $96.0 | 30% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $165,892 | $13,824 | $3,190 | $80 |
| Average | $152,914 | $12,743 | $2,941 | $74 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,660 | $11,222 | $2,590 | $65 |
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 $174,100 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
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.
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