Postsecondary teachers of medicine instruct students and prepare them to enter the health care industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks two categories of medical school professors; nursing instructors, and those who teach all other health specialties. Most medical school professors must have a Ph.D. in their field of specialty before becoming a full professor. Nursing Instructors and Teachers As of May 2011, the BLS estimates that 55,930 postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers were employed in the United States, earning an average income of $67,810 per year. Half of all nursing instructors reported annual earnings of between $50,790 and $81,210. Those working at colleges and universities averaged $69,680 per year; nursing instructors at junior colleges averaged $64,510 per year; and those employed by technical and trade schools reported an average annual salary of $58,220. Health Specialties Teachers The category of health specialties teachers includes those who instruct students in veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and medicine. According to BLS estimates, approximately 153,430 health specialties teachers were employed as of 2011 and earned an average annual income of $99,210. The highest-paid 25 percent of professors reported earnings of $126,130 or more per year. Those employed at colleges and universities averaged $107,150 per year; health specialties teachers at junior colleges averaged $64,850 per year; and those at technical and trade schools averaged $51,450 per year. Geographical Variations in Pay As of 2011, BLS statistics indicated that medical school professors in different parts of the country experienced significant pay differences. The highest-paying states for nursing instructors were in the Northeast and California, Nevada, Florida and Hawaii. California reported the highest average salary, $86,890, while those in Montana earned an average of $49,110, the lowest reported for any state. Health specialties teachers reported the highest average salaries in New Mexico, Washington, New York and Massachusetts, and those working in Montana also reported the lowest pay for their occupation. Job Outlook The BLS predicts that increasing numbers of students will attend postsecondary institutions over the next decade, and that these institutions will need to hire additional instructors in most content areas. Between 2010 and 2020, the BLS projects an overall rate of 17 percent employment growth among all postsecondary professors. Because public universities are likely to experience budget crunches, prospects for employment may be best at private for-profit institutions. The BLS expects job prospects for nursing instructors to be among the best for any content area. Source
