Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median salary of $79,940 per year, ranking in the top 24% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +16.8% job growth through 2034, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary earn?

The median annual wage for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary is $79,940. That puts nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary at #192 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary is +16.8%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 91K positions in 2024 to 106K in 2034, a net change of 15K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.

What do nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
2. 2.Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
3. 3.Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
4. 4.Participate in campus and community events.
5. 5.Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work.
6. 6.Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
7. 7.Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
8. 8.Demonstrate patient care in clinical units of hospitals.

Top skills for nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary?

The standard path into nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Law Teachers, Postsecondary
  $126,650 median
• Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
  $119,980 median
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
  $106,120 median
• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
  $105,620 median
• Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
  $101,480 median
• Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
  $101,390 median

Common questions parents ask about nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary