What Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary this way: "Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions"; "Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as pharmacology, mental health nursing, and community health care practices"; "Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences"; "Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts"; "Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 96,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 112,600 in 2035, an increase of 16,500 jobs (+17.1%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 8,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $80,250, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $86,236 in New York to $88,375 in New Jersey, a gap of $2,140 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $80,250 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,780, which is 51.0% of the 15,250 counted across them. New York follows with 7,470.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($88,375) and New York ($86,236) lead the ranking, while New York ($86,236) and New Jersey ($88,375) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-1000) include Business Teachers, Postsecondary, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary.
Frequently asked questions about Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
What is the national median wage for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $80,250. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $86,236 to $88,375.
Which state pays Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $88,375. New York is next at $86,236.
What is the job outlook for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary?
BLS projects employment to grow by 17.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,500 openings a year.
What education do Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary need?
The typical entry-level education is doctoral or professional degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.