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Job outlook for vocational nursing instructors in the United States
Are vocational nursing instructor jobs in demand?
Vocational nursing instructor job and salary trends over time
Vocational nursing instructor jobs over time
Vocational nursing instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,358 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,219 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,191 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,111 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,109 | 0.00% |
Average vocational nursing instructor salary over time
Vocational nursing instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,598 | $35.86 | +1.2% |
| 2025 | $73,738 | $35.45 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $72,641 | $34.92 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | $70,437 | $33.86 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $68,332 | $32.85 | +2.4% |
Vocational nursing instructor jobs by state
Most common states for vocational nursing instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,197 | 21% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 179 | 21% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,585 | 19% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 584 | 19% |
| 5 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 542 | 19% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,879 | 18% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,099 | 18% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 749 | 18% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 103 | 18% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 361 | 17% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 330 | 17% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 179 | 17% |
| 13 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,498 | 15% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 250 | 15% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,275 | 14% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 608 | 14% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 481 | 13% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 95 | 13% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,484 | 12% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 76 | 11% |
Most common cities for vocational nursing instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco | 4 | 6% | $110,653 |
| 2 | Hayward | 5 | 3% | $110,343 |
| 3 | Concord | 4 | 3% | $110,398 |
| 4 | Martinez | 1 | 3% | $110,537 |
| 5 | Fremont | 4 | 2% | $110,100 |
| 6 | Covina | 1 | 2% | $98,590 |
| 7 | Bakersfield | 3 | 1% | $102,664 |
| 8 | Sacramento | 3 | 1% | $109,765 |
| 9 | Milpitas | 1 | 1% | $110,007 |
| 10 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $109,818 |
| 11 | Garland | 1 | 0% | $57,066 |
| 12 | Oakland | 1 | 0% | $110,560 |
| 13 | Stockton | 1 | 0% | $109,470 |
Vocational Nursing Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of vocational nursing instructor experts
Nicholls State University
Utah Valley University
AGWA - American Grant Writers' Association, Inc.
Texas State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Dr. Raquel Engolio
Assistant Professor, Department Head for NursingNicholls State University
Nursing Department
What soft skills should all Vocational Nursing Instructors possess?
Dr. Raquel Engolio: Communication and teamwork. Clear communication as a clinical nurse educator is critical. Clinical instructors will supervise students in a complex, fast-paced clinical environment. This requires clear, timely, and professional communication. In respect to teamwork, clinical nursing instructors can expect to work with a team of course faculty in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting. During clinical, instructors work with the staff nurses and healthcare team. It is vital for clinical instructors to maintain positive group dynamics. Students, staff, and patients will often reach out and seek instructors who convey approachability, warmth, and competency in the clinical setting.
What skills will help Vocational Nursing Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Raquel Engolio: Writing and professional presentation skills. Experience with publications, participation in nursing research, and years of experience in nursing education will help nursing instructors earn a more competitive salary. Publishing in peer-reviewed journals, participating in nursing research, and presenting information at events like a national conference will make clinical instructors more marketable. In addition, the attainment of advanced practice degrees and terminal degrees will improve a nurse educator's salary. These skills and qualifications require expertise in nursing and highlight a commitment to the profession and nursing education.
How have salaries changed over time for Vocational Nursing Instructors?
Francine Jensen: Salaries are often tied to the region where you work, so think carefully about where you decide to practice. Working night shifts and weekends will net you a dollar or two more an hour. One useful strategy to grow your wage is to regularly change your employment situation and negotiate your starting salary. Additionally, once you are in advanced roles in nursing, your salary will increase, so consider when the best time is to go back to school.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vocational Nursing Instructor job market given the pandemic?
John Porter Ph.D.: This will depend on what happens in the next six months or so. If the economy stays open and business can operate as it did a year ago, the trend will be more positive. When the economy is working, people are more financially secure. They have money to donate to foundations, and corporations have more profits to put into their funding resources.
If the economic shutdown increases where both businesses and individuals earn less money, there will be less money available for grant funding. The majority of grant funding comes from donations by everyday individuals.
If the economic shutdown is prolonged, then there will be an increase in government grant programs. The government gets its financial resources for things like grants by taxation. So individual taxes will likely increase.
Another line to balance is the excessive taxation of the rich. Nearly all very wealthy people have established a foundation where they give some of their wealth to grant awards to community non-profit organizations. When the government increases the taxes on this group, the excess money goes to the government to spend rather than local non-profits.
What type of skills will young Vocational Nursing Instructors need?
Dr. Rodney Rohde Ph.D.: I like to tell everyone that the Medical Laboratory degree (at any level, Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and now Doctoral, DCLS) is like majoring in four areas. One of the most rigorous degrees one can obtain, and the professional career is no different because we are continually learning, based on the real-time, best medical evidence of laboratory medicine.
Here are some broad strokes for what new graduates will need in the coming years - 1. Communication skills; 2. Problem-solving and troubleshooting; 3. Use their math and science skills, especially the core foundations of medical laboratory science - hematology, immunohematology (blood bank), clinical chemistry, and microbiology; 4. Professionalism (manage yourself, others, time, and things); 5. Self-starter with the ability to work alone and in groups across healthcare and with the public; 6. Empathy and sympathy for colleagues as well as the patients we serve.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Vocational Nursing Instructors in the next 5 years?
Brigette Cooper: There will be an increase in demand for dental hygiene graduates in the next five years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than average for all occupations. The demand for dental services will increase as the population ages and as research continues to link oral health to overall health.