As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Nurse Director in the United States is $299,167 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $144.
However, a Clinical Nurse Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Clinical Nurse 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 Clinical Nurse 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Clinical Nurse Director | $278,988 |
| Intermediate Level Clinical Nurse Director | $281,642 |
| Senior Level Clinical Nurse Director | $285,181 |
| Specialist Level Clinical Nurse Director | $289,604 |
| Expert Level Clinical Nurse Director | $294,027 |
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 Clinical Nurse Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 6.41% |
| Oncology | 2.95% |
| Internal Medicine | 1.49% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Cardiac Testing
|
$367,975 |
23%
|
|
Diagnostic Imaging
|
$326,092 |
9%
|
|
Cardiac
|
$323,100 |
8%
|
|
Alignment
|
$323,100 |
8%
|
|
Internal Medicine
|
$323,100 |
8%
|
|
Medical Communications
|
$323,100 |
8%
|
Understanding how a Clinical Nurse 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, 2026Salaries for a Clinical Nurse Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $190,783 in 2023 to around $187,651 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Clinical Nurse Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $190,783 |
| 2024 | $191,663 |
| 2025 | $187,651 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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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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