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Vocational nursing instructor salary
Average vocational nursing instructor salary
$74,598
Understanding the Role of a Vocational Nursing Instructor
Vocational nursing instructors are educators responsible for teaching student nurses the essential skills required for patient care. They typically hold a degree in nursing and possess substantial clinical experience. The average salary for a vocational nursing instructor is $74,598 per year, translating to approximately $36 per hour. Factors influencing salary include geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution.
Where Are the Highest Paying Opportunities?
Vocational nursing instructors can find lucrative opportunities in certain states and cities. States like California and New York often offer higher salaries compared to the national average. For instance, instructors in urban areas may earn more due to a higher cost of living and increased demand for nursing education.
Job Outlook for Vocational Nursing Instructors
The demand for vocational nursing instructors is projected to grow as the healthcare industry expands. With an increasing focus on quality patient care, educational institutions are investing in skilled instructors to ensure that their nursing programs remain competitive and effective.
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Where can a Vocational Nursing Instructor earn more?
Average vocational nursing instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for vocational nursing instructors are Massachusetts, Nevada, and California. The lowest average vocational nursing instructor salary states are Minnesota, Texas, and Missouri.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for vocational nursing instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $101,986 | $49.03 |
| 2 | Michigan | $87,052 | $41.85 |
| 3 | California | $101,093 | $48.60 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $92,282 | $44.37 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $92,229 | $44.34 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $101,074 | $48.59 |
| 7 | Delaware | $96,332 | $46.31 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $106,583 | $51.24 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $94,172 | $45.27 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $102,739 | $49.39 |
| 11 | Maryland | $87,023 | $41.84 |
| 12 | Utah | $86,707 | $41.69 |
| 13 | Vermont | $90,718 | $43.61 |
| 14 | Oregon | $80,938 | $38.91 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $90,776 | $43.64 |
| 16 | New York | $86,284 | $41.48 |
| 17 | Alaska | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| 18 | Idaho | $76,915 | $36.98 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $85,326 | $41.02 |
| 20 | Virginia | $78,977 | $37.97 |
| 21 | Washington | $89,560 | $43.06 |
| 22 | Iowa | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| 23 | Colorado | $74,879 | $36.00 |
| 24 | Indiana | $84,312 | $40.53 |
| 25 | Ohio | $80,668 | $38.78 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $74,075 | $35.61 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $71,149 | $34.21 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $73,464 | $35.32 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $74,393 | $35.77 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $69,385 | $33.36 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $77,365 | $37.19 |
| 33 | Montana | $71,376 | $34.32 |
| 34 | Kansas | $67,894 | $32.64 |
| 35 | Georgia | $67,648 | $32.52 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $72,637 | $34.92 |
| 38 | Florida | $74,981 | $36.05 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $64,758 | $31.13 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $70,697 | $33.99 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $73,762 | $35.46 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| 43 | Maine | $70,680 | $33.98 |
| 44 | Arizona | $63,732 | $30.64 |
| 45 | Illinois | $60,906 | $29.28 |
| 46 | Alabama | $57,016 | $27.41 |
| 47 | Texas | $58,684 | $28.21 |
| 48 | Missouri | $57,265 | $27.53 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $52,265 | $25.13 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $60,846 | $29.25 |
Highest paying cities for vocational nursing instructors
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco, CA | $110,653 | $53.20 |
| 2 | Galveston, TX | $59,863 | $28.78 |
Vocational nursing instructor salary details
A vocational nursing instructor's salary ranges from $43,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $128,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a vocational nursing instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,000 | $8,250 | $48 |
| Average | $74,598 | $6,217 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
Highest paying vocational nursing instructor jobs
The highest paying types of vocational nursing instructors are advanced nursing professor, registered nursing professor, and clinical instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Faculty | $63,552 | $5,296 | $30.55 | 64,292 |
| Nursing Program Coordinator | $64,285 | $5,357 | $30.91 | 113,614 |
| Instructor Nurse | $68,098 | $5,675 | $32.74 | 50,341 |
| Adjunct Nursing Faculty | $63,831 | $5,319 | $30.69 | 66,092 |
| Adjunct Clinical Instructor | $67,696 | $5,641 | $32.55 | 88,235 |
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
Top companies hiring vocational nursing instructors now:
Which companies pay vocational nursing instructors the most?
Vocational nursing instructor salaries at UCI Health and Senior Living Properties are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average vocational nursing instructor salary at companies like Unitek Learning and Grayson College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UCI Health | $184,273 | $88.59 |
| 2 | Senior Living Properties | $115,231 | $55.40 |
| 3 | Unitek Learning | $111,025 | $53.38 |
| 4 | Grayson College | $102,759 | $49.40 |
| 5 | Kern Community College District | $101,269 | $48.69 |
| 6 | Mission Health Services | $93,971 | $45.18 |
| 7 | University of California | $88,581 | $42.59 |
| 8 | UC Santa Barbara | $84,905 | $40.82 |
| 9 | American Career College | $81,081 | $38.98 |
| 10 | University of Texas System | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| 11 | University of California-Berkeley | $73,201 | $35.19 |
| 12 | Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers | $67,207 | $32.31 |
| 13 | Lynwood Unified School District | $54,072 | $26.00 |
| 14 | UTMB HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS | $46,366 | $22.29 |
| 15 | Falcon School District 49 | $35,379 | $17.01 |
| 16 | Platt College | $28,646 | $13.77 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Vocational nursing instructor salary trends
The average vocational nursing instructor salary has risen by $11,436 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average vocational nursing instructor earned $63,162 annually, but today, they earn $74,598 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for vocational nursing instructors over the last decade.
Compare vocational nursing instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average vocational nursing instructor salary over time
Compare vocational nursing instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Vocational nursing instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,600 | $35.86 | +1.2% |
| 2025 | $73,700 | $35.45 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $72,600 | $34.92 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $70,400 | $33.86 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $68,300 | $32.85 | +2.4% |
Recently added vocational nursing instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Search Inc. | Vocational Nursing Instructor | Bakersfield, CA | 06/27/2025 | $80,000 |
| West Coast University | Vocational Nursing Instructor | Los Angeles, CA | 06/27/2025 | $78,722 |
| Los Angeles Community College District | Fy25-Nursing, Vocational Nursing Instructor, Limited | Selma, CA | 06/06/2025 | $74,500 |
| First Search Inc. | Vocational Nursing Instructor | Bakersfield, CA | 05/29/2025 | $80,000 |
| Unitek Learning | Vocational Nursing Instructor-Days | San Jose, CA | 05/24/2025 | $100,176 |
| Los Angeles Community College District | Adjunct-Fy25 Nursing, Vocational Nursing Instructor | Monterey Park, CA | 05/20/2025 | $41,552 |
| Napa Valley College | Hourly Vocational Nursing Instructor | Napa, CA | 04/30/2025 | $156,191 |
| Unitek Learning | Vocational Nursing Instructor-Evenings/Weekends | San Jose, CA | 04/23/2025 | $104,350 |
| First Search Inc. | Vocational Nursing Instructor | Bakersfield, CA | 04/14/2025 | $80,000 |
| Unitek Learning | Vocational Nursing Instructor-Evenings/Weekends | San Jose, CA | 03/21/2025 | $100,176 |
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