🤱 How much does a midwife make?
In the U.S., nurse midwives: lower-paid workers earn about $93,620/year, the median is $134,040, and the top 10% start around $188,320.
Experience, education, location and industry affect U.S. pay; Japan’s official 2025 figure is an average, not a top-earner figure.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid nurse midwives (10th-percentile point) | $93,620 | BLS OEWS 2025, 10th percentile |
| Typical nurse midwife (median) | $134,040 | BLS OEWS 2025, median |
| Top-paid nurse midwives (90th-percentile point) | $188,320 | BLS OEWS 2025, 90th percentile |
Midwife salary in Japan: about $38K a year
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid nurse midwives (10th-percentile point) | $7,802 | $256 |
| Typical nurse midwife (median) | $11,170 | $367 |
| Top-paid nurse midwives (90th-percentile point) | $15,693 | $516 |
About $64 an hour
Where does the money come from?
How pay changes with experience
| Stage | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Federal nurse-midwife role, GS-11 | $117,383–$152,606 Estimate | Annual range listed for GS-11 in an official IHS vacancy. (Source) |
| Federal nurse-midwife role, GS-12 | $126,164–$164,017 Estimate | Annual range listed for GS-12 in an official IHS vacancy. (Source) |
How do you become a midwife?
In the United States, earn a bachelor's degree and become a registered nurse (RN). Complete an ACME-accredited graduate midwifery program, pass the AMCB exam, and get a license in the state where you plan to work.
- Earn a bachelor's degree.
- Get a registered nurse (RN) license.
- Complete an accredited graduate midwifery program.
- Pass the AMCB exam and get a license in your state.
Qualifications and exams
You need an RN license, a graduate degree from an ACME-accredited midwifery program, and a passing AMCB exam. You must also obtain a license in the state where you will work.
A day as a midwife
At a clinic in the United States, a nurse-midwife checks pregnant patients and listens to the baby's heartbeat. If labor begins, they support the birth, care for the newborn, and record the visit.
Common questions
How much does a nurse midwife make a year?
Typical pay for U.S. nurse midwives was $134,040 a year in May 2025, according to the BLS. Source
Can nurse-midwife pay differ by state?
Yes. U.S. wage estimates are available by state and area, and BLS says location and industry can affect where a worker's pay falls. Source
Does experience affect nurse-midwife pay?
Experience and education can affect where someone's pay falls in the wage range. Location and industry can matter too; raises are not automatic for everyone. Source
Do nurse midwives work nights or weekends?
They can. Hospital jobs may include night, weekend, and holiday shifts. Midwives who attend births may also have on-call duties. Source
Can nurse midwives get retirement benefits?
Some employers offer retirement contributions as a benefit. UPMC says its contribution can be up to 8% of eligible pay; benefits vary by employer. Source
Do midwives do work besides births?
Yes. Their work can include pregnancy checkups, care after birth, newborn care, family planning, and other women's health services. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
Close jobs in official statistics
In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Typical employed midwife (official average) | $37,780 | MHLW 2025 wage survey via Job Tag |
Close Japanese jobs
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1161.00
- www.careeratlasusa.com/salary/nurse-midwives
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/157
- www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1161.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-1161.00
- midwife.org/Become-a-Midwife
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002000.htm
- www.usajobs.gov/job/856124800
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm