How much does a midwife make?
a year · about $64 an hour
A typical midwife in the United States makes $134,040 a year, about $64 an hour, about 2.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
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.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $93,620 and $188,320How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($203,840), lowest in North Dakota ($72,630).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
In Japan, a midwife averages $37,780. Midwife salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| 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 |
| Hawaii | $170,110 | — |
| Massachusetts | $159,800 | about 280 |
| Washington | $158,970 | about 170 |
| New Jersey | $153,970 | about 120 |
Official definition: 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.
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