Certified Nurse Educator Salaries and Job Growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says certified nurse educators (CNEs) earn a median annual salary of $77,440 for roles that include training in clinical practice, classroom instruction at community colleges and universities, or executive oversight of academic nursing programs and faculty.
If you are thinking about a career as a nurse educator, now is a good time to consider your options. A current shortage of nurse educators is expected to fuel job growth of 21.5% through 2031, considerably above the 5% forecast for all occupations.
In This Article
The BLS classifies nurse educators who teach at colleges, medical and surgical hospitals, and technical, trade, and business schools as “postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers”—and “there are simply not enough of them to meet the nation’s needs,” says Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, president and CEO of the National League for Nursing (NLN).
In a recent survey of nursing schools by the NLN, 74% of respondents indicated they had difficulty filling faculty positions, and many remained unfilled.
U.S. nursing schools turned away more than 91,000 qualified applicants to undergraduate and graduate programs in 2021.
According to Robert Rosseter, chief communications officer for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away more than 91,938 qualified applicants to undergraduate and graduate programs in 2021, and most indicated that faculty shortages were a top reason.
All of which means that if you want to be a nurse educator, the odds are in your favor.
Median Annual Salary
The BLS says salaries can range widely, depending on factors such as:
The dean of a nursing school at a highly regarded university located in a major metro area, who likely has a doctorate, may earn a salary at the top range of the pay scale, while an instructor at a community college may earn less.
Salary Comparison: Nurse Educator vs Careers that Require Postgraduate Education
Here’s a look at how the median salary for a nurse educator compares with pay for nursing positions that require either a master’s or a doctorate.
Demand for Nurse Educators
In addition to the shortage of teachers, there are two other important factors driving the forecast of 21 percent job growth:
Teacher retirements
According to the NLN, 70% of full-time nurse educators are over the age of 45, and a significant number are nearing retirement age. This is expected to create even more vacancies at colleges and universities.
Nurse shortage
By 2024, the U.S. is expected to face a shortage of nearly one million nurses, “from entry-level RNs to the most senior and experienced nursing specialists,” says Joseph Dunmire, a board member of the National Association of Healthcare Recruitment. “Finding nurses to fill all of those roles will be problematic.”
To minimize this shortage, more nurse educators will be needed to teach, inspire, and mentor the next generation of nurses.
Competition for Jobs
The demand for nurse educators may be high, but there could be some competition for jobs because employers tend to look for the best and most qualified candidates.
Donna R. Swope, MS, RN, an adjunct professor of nursing at Stevenson University, says that taking the follow steps can make you a stronger nurse educator when you graduate and enhance your resume:
If you are on an educator track, stay in clinical nursing to graduate with the latest knowledge of clinical trends.
To practice your teaching skills, take every opportunity to work with nursing students at any level. For example: Accept a student to work with you when you are the primary nurse, or serve as a preceptor for seniors in their final clinical practicum or for new hires.
To gain experience working on policy issues, become a member of the professional nursing organization for your specialty and work to help frame policies to enhance patient care and influence cultural attitudes toward students and new nurses.
“Honestly, the core of all this is that we want educators who, while still in their clinical role, light up at the prospect of working with students,” Swope says. “It can’t be just that someone can deliver compelling class content, although of course we want that, too.”
Location, Location, Location
Another factor to consider is geographic location. If moving is an option, consider cities where jobs are more plentiful. This may increase your chances of landing your dream teaching position—and increasing your salary.
Top-Paying Metro Areas
These are the highest-paying metro areas in the country for nurse educators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021
Metro Areas with the Highest Employment
These five metro areas have the highest number of nurse educators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021
More Factors to Consider: Workplace and Employer
Aspiring nurse educators or those already in the field who want to move up or into leadership positions may want to consider these factors when deciding what they want to teach and where.
Top Workplaces
As this chart shows, there’s a wide salary range for nurse educators by workplace.
Colleges, Universities, and Professional schools
Nurse Educators Employed
44,340
Average Salary
$83,340
Junior Colleges
Nurse Educators Employed
16,920
Average Salary
$75,960
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Nurse Educators Employed
3,410
Average Salary
$95,720
Technical and Trade Schools
Nurse Educators Employed
2,090
Average Salary
$77,010
Educational Support Services Agencies
Nurse Educators Employed
700
Average Salary
$80,410
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Advancing Your Career
Within the nurse educator field, there are a variety of roles and pathways for career growth. For example, with the right education, experience, and training, you could move up from instructor or professor to dean.
There also are job opportunities in:
With professional insight from:
Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Stevenson University
Board member, National Association of Healthcare Recruitment
President and CEO. National League for Nursing