How Much Do Nurse-Midwives Make?

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 master’s degrees or doctorates in order to become certified. Many CNMs find their careers to be challenging and fulfilling.

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.

To learn more about this career path, you can also find information on how to become a nurse-midwife here and a career overview of nurse-midwives here.

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.

In addition, the BLS projects that the number of nurse-midwives could increase by 12% from 2019-2029.

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.

Certified nurse-midwives also need to stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 and vaccine guidelines for pregnant women. The latest research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concludes that pregnant patients are at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is completely safe.

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.

The graph below shows the range of salary expectations for nurse-midwives, according to BLS data.

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.

The table below uses data from the BLS to list the highest-paying states for CNMs.

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.

Keep in mind that the BLS collects its data based on metropolitan areas instead of individual cities, as shown in the table below.

According to MedScape’s 2020 APRN compensation report, some of the most popular workplaces for nurse-midwives include hospitals with inpatient and outpatient care settings, medical offices, and urgent care clinics.

The BLS also lists the highest-paying industries and workplace settings for certified nurse-midwives, which you can find in the table below.

The average annual salary for nurse-midwives exceeds that of most advanced practice nurses, except for nurse anesthetists, as listed in the chart below. In comparison, neonatal and labor and delivery nurses — registered nurses who specialize in pregnancy and birth — earn less than their advanced practice nurse-midwife co-workers.

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.

The BLS reports that certified nurse-midwives (aka CNMs) make a median annual salary of $123,780.

Payscale lists the average CNM base salary at $100,270.

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.

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.

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. Our nursing salary guide breaks down the highest-paying nursing jobs in the field.