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Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursing Professional Development Specialist in the United States is $125,334 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,726
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,125 to $134,961
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,920
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View as table View as graph 25% $114,125 10% $103,920 90% $143,726 75% $134,961 $125,334 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $134,961 $11,247 $2,595 $65
Average $125,334 $10,445 $2,410 $60
25th Percentile $114,125 $9,510 $2,195 $55
Check out Nursing Professional Development Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Akron Children's Hospital - Akron, OH

Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Nursing Professional Development Specialist

University Hospitals - North Royalton, OH

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Search More Nursing Professional Development Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salaries

A Nursing Professional Development Specialist'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 Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nursing Professional Development Specialist'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): $105,370
  • Nursing Professional Development Specialist (4-5 years): $125,344
  • Nursing Curriculum Director (5+ years): $150,015
  • Head of Nursing Curriculum (5+ years): $170,731
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Nursing Curriculum Coordinator2-4 years$105,370
Nursing Professional Development Specialist4-5 years$125,344
Nursing Curriculum Director5+ years$150,015
Head of Nursing Curriculum5+ years$170,731
$105,370 Nursing C...
$125,344 Nursing P...
$150,015 Nursing C...
$170,731 Head of N...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Nursing Professional Development Specialists

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: $158,087
  • San Francisco: $156,356
  • Oakland: $153,061

What Skills Can Increase a Nursing Professional Development Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.96% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Nursing Process (Mentioned in 4.04% Job Postings): The nursing process is a modified scientific method. Nursing practise was first described as a four-stage nursing process by Ida Jean Orlando in 1958.
  • Quality Improvement (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): Applying a set of tools, methods, and practices in analyzing the performance and efforts to successfully improve the overall process.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.96%
Nursing Process 4.04%
Quality Improvement 2.09%
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 Specialist's salary.
  • Service Excellence: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Quality Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Telemetry: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Service Excellence
$135,361
8%
Quality Improvement
$130,347
4%
Telemetry
$130,347
4%
Accountability
$129,094
3%
Clinical Practice
$129,094
3%
Collaboration
$129,094
3%
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Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Nursing Professional Development Specialist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $133,115. While startup companies pay approximate $113,377.

Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$113,377
Growth Stage51~500$119,696
Established501~5000$128,768
Enterprise5000+$133,115

Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nursing Professional Development Specialist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Nursing Professional Development Specialist positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nursing Professional Development Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$150,401$72.020%

How Education impacts a Nursing Professional Development Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nursing Professional Development Specialists 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 Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $120,375 and $127,233).

Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 2.4%
Associates 10.1%
Bachelors 17.3%
Masters 67.0%
Doctorate 3.1%
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Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nursing Professional Development Specialist'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 July 01, 2026

Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Nursing Professional Development Specialist, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Nursing Professional Development Specialist Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Clinical Education Programs Director $130,600 4%
Nursing Curriculum Director $150,033 20%

Salary Trends for Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Salaries for a Nursing Professional Development Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $101,033 in 2023 to around $100,231 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nursing Professional Development Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Nursing Professional Development Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$101,033
2024
$100,735
2025
$100,231
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $101,033
2024 $100,735
2025 $100,231
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Nursing Professional Development Specialist

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

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nursing Professional Development Specialist 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 Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Nursing Professional Development Specialist?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Nursing Professional Development Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Why do you need a PD specialist for CDA?

A PD Specialist is essential for the CDA as they conduct the CDA Verification Visit®, reviewing the candidate's documentation, observing their interactions with children, and engaging in reflective dialogue. This role ensures that candidates meet the necessary standards, with salaries ranging from $114,946 to $140,517, reflecting the expertise required for this important position.

3. How much do L&D specialists make in the US?

L&D specialists in the US earn an average salary ranging from $114,946 to $140,517, with a mid-salary of $126,948. This reflects a competitive compensation structure for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise in nursing professional development.

4. What is the passing score on the CDA exam?

What Score Do I Need to Pass the CDA Exams? Each of the CDA exams is scored on a scale of zero to 100. You'll need to earn a 70 or higher to pass a CDA test. Scores are reported quickly, with most candidates becoming credentialed within one to three days after passing their test. Nursing Professional Development Specialists earn between $114,946 and $140,517 annually, with a mid-salary of $126,948.

5. What is the highest paying labor job in the US?

The highest paying labor job in the U.S. includes roles like Air Traffic Controller and Construction Manager. However, a Nursing Professional Development Specialist also commands a competitive salary, with a minimum of $114,946, a mid-range of $126,948, and a maximum of $140,517, reflecting the importance of healthcare education and training.

6. What is the highest paid L&D nurse?

The highest paid Nursing Professional Development Specialists earn a maximum salary of $140,517 annually, with a minimum salary of $114,946 and a mid-range salary of $126,948. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, particularly in high-demand areas.

7. How much does a PD specialist make?

A Nursing Professional Development Specialist typically earns between $114,946 and $140,517 annually, with a median salary of $126,948. Salaries can vary significantly based on location and experience, but this range provides a solid benchmark for potential earnings in this 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.

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