Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursing Program Director in California is $181,811 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $87.
However, a Nursing Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Recruit with AI
Nursing Program Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $200,135 | $16,678 | $3,849 | $96 |
| Average | $181,811 | $15,151 | $3,496 | $87 |
| 25th Percentile | $164,015 | $13,668 | $3,154 | $79 |
YAI - Berkeley, CA
Homestead Schools Inc - Costa Mesa, CA
Unitek College - Campbell, CA
Sweetwater Care - Stockton, CA
A Nursing 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 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nursing S... Level Nursing Program Director | $127,293 |
| Nursing M... Level Nursing Program Director | $148,971 |
| Nursing P... Level Nursing Program Director | $180,463 |
| Nursing D... Level Nursing Program Director | $221,654 |
| Head of N... Level Nursing Program Director | $267,793 |
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 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:
For Nursing Program Director 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, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Nursing Program Director positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nursing Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $218,173 | $105.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Nursing 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 | $200,135 | $16,678 | $3,849 | $96 |
| Average | $181,811 | $15,151 | $3,496 | $87 |
| 25th Percentile | $164,015 | $13,668 | $3,154 | $79 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nursing Program Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
New Solutions
Irvine, CA
New Solutions | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Nursing Assistant Program Director. We are looking for an Assistant Program Director to join our team. This position will... more
6 Days Ago
Stanbridge University
Alhambra, CA
Stanbridge University | Alhambra, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Program Director, Vocational Nursing Program. Stanbridge University is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Program Dir... more
3 Days Ago
Stanbridge University
Irvine, CA
Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Program Director, Vocational Nursing Program. Stanbridge University is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Program Dir... more
4 Days Ago
Stanbridge University
Riverside, CA
Stanbridge University | Riverside, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Assistant Program Director, Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Stanbridge University is seeking an experienced and collabora... more
4 Days Ago
Stanbridge University
Irvine, CA
Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Assistant Program Director, Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Stanbridge University is seeking an experienced and collabora... more
5 Days Ago
San Francisco Health Care and Rehab
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Health Care and Rehab | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of Nursing to lead our nursing team and ensure the highest standards ... more
4 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
