As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Dean of Nursing in the United States is $177,593 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.
However, a Dean of Nursing's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Dean of Nursing Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $193,311 | $16,109 | $3,718 | $93 |
| Average | $177,593 | $14,799 | $3,415 | $85 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,448 | $13,037 | $3,009 | $75 |
A Dean of Nursing'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Dean of Nursing'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Dean of Nursing | $164,654 |
| Intermediate Level Dean of Nursing | $166,547 |
| Senior Level Dean of Nursing | $169,703 |
| Specialist Level Dean of Nursing | $172,859 |
| Expert Level Dean of Nursing | $178,062 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 25.64% |
| Program Design | 1.03% |
| Microsoft Office | 0.51% |
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 Dean of Nursing's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Practice | $200,680 | |
| Budgeting | $198,904 | |
| Verbal Communication | $197,128 |
Dean of Nursing salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $189,358. While startup companies pay approximate $161,095.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $161,095 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $170,140 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $183,093 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $189,358 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dean of Nursing enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Dean of Nursing with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.
| Typical Education for Dean of Nursing | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 4.0% |
| High School | 4.0% |
| Associates | 12.0% |
| Bachelors | 20.0% |
| Masters | 16.0% |
| Doctorate | 48.0% |
Understanding how a Dean of Nursing'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 | $193,311 | $16,109 | $3,718 | $93 |
| Average | $177,593 | $14,799 | $3,415 | $85 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,448 | $13,037 | $3,009 | $75 |
Salaries for a Dean of Nursing can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $130,506 in 2023 to around $123,130 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Dean of Nursing salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $130,506 |
| 2024 | $128,145 |
| 2025 | $123,130 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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A Dean of Nursing's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Dean of Nursing earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Dean of Nursing is $223,998.
The highest pay for Dean of Nursing is $207,621.
The lowest pay for Dean of Nursing is $137,197.
Manages the administrative and operational functions of the College of Nursing. Develops strategic initiatives and participates in long-term planning and policy setting. Provides senior level leadership in areas of curriculum development, institutional assessment, and faculty development. Ensures academic standards are met and align with institutional goals. Requires an advanced degree. Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.
The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Dean of Nursing roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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.)
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