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Nursing Professional Development Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Nursing Professional Development Director make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursing Professional Development Director in the United States is $149,980 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $171,950
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,080 to $161,480
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,783
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View as table View as graph 25% $132,080 10% $115,783 90% $171,950 75% $161,480 $149,980 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Nursing Professional Development Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $161,480 $13,457 $3,105 $78
Average $149,980 $12,498 $2,884 $72
25th Percentile $132,080 $11,007 $2,540 $64
Check out Nursing Professional Development Director Job Openings in the United States
Spark Site Director Trainee position Full Benefit Package Professional Development

Millard Public Schools Foundation, Inc. - OMAHA, NE

DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Southbrooke Manor Nursing and Rehabiliation Center - EDNA, TX

Director of Nursing

Southwest Healthcare Services - BOWMAN, ND

Director of Nursing

Northfield Retirement Community - SCOTTSBLUFF, NE

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Key Factors That Influence Nursing Professional Development Director Salaries

A Nursing Professional Development 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 Professional Development Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nursing Professional Development 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): $105,264
  • Nursing Curriculum Specialist (4-5 years): $125,245
  • Nursing Professional Development Director (5+ years): $149,936
  • Head of Nursing Curriculum (5+ years): $170,676
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Nursing Curriculum Coordinator2-4 years$105,264
Nursing Curriculum Specialist4-5 years$125,245
Nursing Professional Development Director5+ years$149,936
Head of Nursing Curriculum5+ years$170,676
$105,264 Nursing C...
$125,245 Nursing C...
$149,936 Nursing P...
$170,676 Head of N...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Nursing Professional Development 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: $189,180
  • San Francisco: $187,280
  • Oakland: $183,180

What Skills Can Increase a Nursing Professional Development 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 Professional Development 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
$178,476
19%
People Management
$167,978
12%
Results Oriented
$163,478
9%
Work Ethic
$163,478
9%
Organization Development
$160,479
7%
Patient Care
$158,979
6%
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How Education impacts a Nursing Professional Development Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nursing Professional Development 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 Professional Development Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,511 and $142,856).

Nursing Professional Development Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nursing Professional Development 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%
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Nursing Professional Development Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nursing Professional Development 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 January 01, 2026

Nursing Professional Development Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Nursing Professional Development 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 $170,700 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Nursing Professional Development Director

Salaries for a Nursing Professional Development 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 Professional Development Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Nursing Professional Development 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 Professional Development Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Nursing Professional Development Director

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

Find Your Next Nursing Professional Development Director Job

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

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FAQ about Nursing Professional Development Director

1. What is the highest salary for a Director Of Nursing?

The highest salary for a Director of Nursing can vary significantly by location. However, based on the salary data for a Nursing Professional Development Director, the salary range is between $125,180 and $161,080, with a midpoint of $142,380. This indicates competitive compensation within the field, though some states may offer higher salaries.

2. How much does a Director Of Nursing earn in Texas?

As of now, the salary for a Nursing Professional Development Director in Texas ranges from $125,180 to $161,080 annually, with a midpoint of $142,380. This translates to approximately $60.17 to $77.38 per hour, or $2,404 to $3,013 per week. The monthly earnings range from $10,432 to $13,423.

3. What is nurse specialist best salary?

The salary for a Nursing Professional Development Director ranges from a minimum of $125,180 to a maximum of $161,080, with a mid-range salary of $142,380. This reflects the competitive compensation in the nursing field, highlighting the importance of specialized roles in healthcare.

4. How much does a Director Of Nursing make in California?

The salary for a Nursing Professional Development Director in California ranges from $125,180 to $161,080 annually, with a midpoint of $142,380. This reflects the specialized nature of the role and the demand for experienced professionals in the healthcare sector.

5. How much does a Director Of Nursing make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Nursing Professional Development Director in the US ranges from $125,180 to $161,080 per year, with a mid-salary of $142,380. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and represent the midpoint of the salary spectrum for this role.

6. Is professional development the same as CPD?

Professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are related but not identical. CPD typically refers to structured training courses that can last from one day to several weeks, focusing on specific subjects or skills within an industry. For Nursing Professional Development Directors, salaries range from $125,180 to $161,080, reflecting the importance of ongoing education in their roles.

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.

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