$Who Earns What

How much does a midwife make?

US Nurse Midwives

Answer: A typical midwife in the United States makes $134,040 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$134,040

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 8,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$93,620
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$134,040
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$188,320
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

55 of 100
more than half

Midwife pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Midwife pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$93,620$134,040$188,320about 8,000
States where midwifes earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
California$203,840about 870

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience and extra qualifications can affect a nurse midwife’s pay. Pay also differs by workplace and state; BLS data show differences among hospitals, outpatient centers, and states.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$134,040
California$203,840
Hawaii$170,110
Massachusetts$159,800
Washington$158,970
New Jersey$153,970
Indiana$101,630
District of Columbia$101,450
North Dakota$72,630

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a midwife do?

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

What's a typical day like?

At a clinic, a midwife checks a pregnant patient, listens to the baby's heartbeat, and answers questions. If labor starts, they may support the birth at a hospital, then check the parent and baby and record care.

How to get this job

In the U.S., first earn a bachelor's degree and become an RN, then finish an ACME-accredited graduate midwifery program. Pass the national AMCB exam and get a license in the state where you will work.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out.

Did you know?

In the U.S., nurse midwives can care for healthy newborns during their first 28 days and provide primary care from adolescence through later life—not just around birth.

What about Japan?

Nearly the same job
US
Midwife (typical)
$134,040
Midwife (average)
$37,780

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.

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Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY