[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Does a Nurse-Midwife Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) assist mothers through labor and provide prenatal care and education about pregnancy to expecting mothers. These professionals work as advanced practice nurses, which means they need [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-online-msn-programs/” target=”_blank”]master’s degrees[/hen-ui-link] or doctorates in order to become certified. Many CNMs find their careers to be challenging and fulfilling.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide covers nurse-midwife salaries, breaking down the way salaries change over time and vary in different locations and settings. The information below is based on 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other sources like PayScale.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To learn more about this career path, you can also find information on [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/how-to-become-a-nurse-midwife/”]how to become a nurse-midwife here[/hen-ui-link] and a [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/”]career overview of nurse-midwives here[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ style=”font-weight: bold;”]Fast Facts About Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More than 50% of nurse-midwives list physician practices or hospitals/medical centers as their main employers.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Approximately 82% of CNMs have a master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There is a global shortage of health workers, in particular nurses and midwives who represent more than 50% of the current shortage in health workers.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”font-size: small; color:#ffffff;”]Sources: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.midwife.org/acnm/files/cclibraryfiles/filename/000000007531/EssentialFactsAboutMidwives-UPDATED.pdf” target=”_blank”]Midwife.org[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nursing-and-midwifery” target=”_blank”]World Health Organization[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Average Salary for Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse-midwife salaries continue to increase over the years. Data published by the BLS shows that the average annual wage for nurse-midwives was $114,210 as of May 2021. That’s up from $106,910 three years earlier. The chart below shows how certified nurse-midwife salaries rose incrementally over the past few years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition, the BLS projects that the number of nurse-midwives could increase by 12% from 2019-2029.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]COVID-19 Effects on Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The COVID-19 pandemic has altered every part of the healthcare industry. Many healthcare services have gone remote, and nurse midwife services are no different. While CNMs still meet with some patients in person, some hospitals have switched appointments to video or phone calls.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nurse-midwives also [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/do-nursing-students-need-covid-19-vaccine/”]need to stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 and vaccine[/hen-ui-link] guidelines for pregnant women. The latest research from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html” target=”_blank”]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[/hen-ui-link] concludes that pregnant patients are at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is completely safe.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Kind of Salary Growth Can Nurse-Midwives Expect?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Compensation for nurse-midwives depends on factors including certification, practice setting, and years of experience. Generally speaking, salaries increase as nurse-midwives continue through their careers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The graph below shows the range of salary expectations for nurse-midwives, according to BLS data.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ style=”text-align:center;”]Average Annual Salary of Nurse-Midwives by Percentile[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-article-card title=”4 Ways to Increase Pay As a Nurse-Midwife” href=”#increase-pay” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Highest-Paying States for Nurse-Midwives as of 2021[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Geographical location affects nurse-midwife salaries. Oftentimes, places with higher costs of living offer higher wages, although this isn’t always the case. Other considerations like community population can affect total compensation for CNM salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table below uses data from the BLS to list the highest-paying states for CNMs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table below shows that most highest-paying areas are concentrated in California, which is in line with state-level data. Other high-paying cities not included in the table include Salt Lake City and Charleston.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep in mind that the BLS collects its data based on metropolitan areas instead of individual cities, as shown in the table below.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Highest-Paying Cities[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Highest-Paying Cities”]Charleston, WV[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$169,460[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Highest-Paying Cities”]Riverside — San Bernardino — Ontario, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$171,000[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Highest-Paying Cities”]San Jose — Sunnyvale — Santa Clara, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$157,570[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Highest-Paying Cities”]Salt Lake City, Utah[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$133,950[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Highest-Paying Cities”]Sacramento — Roseville — Arden-Arcade, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$150,990[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Highest-Paying Workplaces for Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2020-aprn-comp-report-6013351″ target=”_blank”]MedScape’s 2020 APRN compensation report[/hen-ui-link], some of the most popular workplaces for nurse-midwives include hospitals with inpatient and outpatient care settings, medical offices, and urgent care clinics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS also lists the highest-paying industries and workplace settings for certified nurse-midwives, which you can find in the table below.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Workplace Setting[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Workplace Setting”]Local government (excluding schools and hospitals)[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$104,670[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Workplace Setting”]Outpatient care centers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$146,430[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Workplace Setting”]Offices of Physicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$113,920[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Workplace Setting”]General medical and surgical hospitals[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$119,900[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Workplace Setting”]Colleges, universities, and professional schools[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$107,130[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do Nurse-Midwife Salaries Compare to Other Nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average annual salary for nurse-midwives exceeds that of most [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/” target=”_blank”]advanced practice nurses[/hen-ui-link], except for nurse anesthetists, as listed in the chart below. In comparison, neonatal and [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/labor-and-delivery-nurse/”]labor and delivery nurses — registered nurses who specialize in pregnancy and birth — earn less than[/hen-ui-link] their advanced practice nurse-midwife co-workers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find Out More About How Much Nurses Earned in 2020″ href=”/articles/nursing-salaries-in-2020/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]4 Ways to Increase Pay As a Nurse-Midwife[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS reports the lowest 10% of CNM earners earn an annual wage of $61,500 and the highest 10% of CNM earners brought home $166,170. This range correlates with factors including certifications, education, experience, and location. The list below offers advice on ways to increase your salary potential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions: Nurse-Midwife Salaries[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How much do nurse-midwives make a year?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS reports that certified nurse-midwives (aka CNMs) make a median annual salary of $123,780.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Payscale lists the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Nurse_Midwife/Salary” target=”_blank”]average CNM base salary at $100,270[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is nurse-midwife a good job?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many certified nurse-midwives earn six-figure salaries, and the BLS projects that the field could grow by 45% from 2020-2030. Based on these statistics alone, many would consider nurse-midwife a good job. CNMs also make a real difference in mothers’ and families’ lives, which in and of itself can make it a fulfilling job for many people, even without the higher salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is the highest-paying nurse profession?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified registered nurse anesthetists or CRNAs, who administer anesthetics during surgeries and other major operations, are the highest-earning nurses with a median annual salary of $195,610.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Do midwives make more than other nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nurse-midwives generally make more than registered nurses, who earn a median salary of $77,600, BLS figures show. However, some other advanced practice nurses can earn more than nurse-midwives. Factors like experience, work setting and function, and your geographic location all can influence pay for any job, be it in or out of nursing. [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/highest-paying-nursing-jobs/”]Our nursing salary guide[/hen-ui-link] breaks down the highest-paying nursing jobs in the field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”learn-more”]Learn More About Nurse Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Career Overview” href=”/nurse-midwife/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”How to Become a Nurse Midwife” href=”/nurse-midwife/how-to-become-a-nurse-midwife/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Meet a Nurse Midwife” href=”/nurse-midwife/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-article-layout category=”articles-and-news” limit=”3″ title=”Popular Resources”][/hen-ui-article-layout]