How much does a midwife make?
Answer: A typical midwife in the United States makes $134,040 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
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).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Midwife pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $93,620 | $134,040 | $188,320 | about 8,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $203,840 | about 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 USTop 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 jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources 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
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitio
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-1161.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291161.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- midwife.org/Become-a-Midwife/
- college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/nurse-midwife
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY