How Much Does a Nursing Professor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$80,250
Nursing professors in the U.S. earn a median of $80,250 a year. Half of nursing professors earn more than $80,250 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $129,500.
Pay percentiles for nursing professors
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,800 |
| 25th | $63,510 |
| 50th (median) | $80,250 |
| 75th | $101,090 |
| 90th | $129,500 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1072). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for nursing professors, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for nursing professors
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $129,530 | +61% |
| District of Columbia | $107,770 | +34% |
| Delaware | $98,170 | +22% |
| Nevada | $96,500 | +20% |
| Connecticut | $95,500 | +19% |
| Idaho | $90,890 | +13% |
| Alaska | $85,650 | +7% |
| Massachusetts | $85,130 | +6% |
| Texas | $84,930 | +6% |
| Wisconsin | $84,700 | +6% |
| United States | $80,250 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many nursing professors are there?
BLS counts about 77,960 nursing professors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary”. The most jobs are in Texas (6,830), New York (6,340) and California (5,610).
The mean (average) annual wage is $86,410, higher than the median of $80,250.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nursing professors make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for nursing professors, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $80,250.
Which state pays nursing professors the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for nursing professors at $129,530, +61% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for nursing professors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of nursing professors earn less than $48,800 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.