How much does a nurse midwive make?
The median nurse midwive in the United States earns $128,790 per year, about $61.92 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all nurse midwives earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-1161.
Nurse midwive salary range
Pay for nurse midwives spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $74,670 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $177,040. The average (mean) wage is $128,110, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,670 | $35.90 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $104,260 | $50.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $128,790 | $61.92 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $146,520 | $70.44 | |
| 90th percentile | $177,040 | $85.11 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for nurse midwives (SOC 29-1161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Nurse midwive salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Nurse midwives earn the most in California at $196,700 a year, and the least in Idaho at $89,870. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $196,700 | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $155,710 | 190 |
| Washington | $145,000 | 150 |
| Vermont | $140,240 | 40 |
| Virginia | $139,770 | N/A |
| Utah | $138,020 | 100 |
| New York | $137,860 | 490 |
| Iowa | $136,450 | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $135,860 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $135,680 | 190 |
| Arizona | $135,590 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $135,360 | 90 |
| Missouri | $134,970 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $133,890 | N/A |
| Maine | $132,920 | 50 |
| Colorado | $132,670 | 210 |
| Alaska | $130,030 | 60 |
| Maryland | $129,910 | 260 |
| Indiana | $129,010 | 100 |
| Rhode Island | $127,480 | 90 |
| Minnesota | $127,180 | 260 |
| Georgia | $125,830 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $124,530 | 100 |
| Oregon | $123,080 | 270 |
| Ohio | $121,720 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $121,490 | 350 |
| New Mexico | $118,650 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $118,100 | 30 |
| Michigan | $116,810 | 270 |
| Florida | $115,440 | 860 |
| Illinois | $114,420 | 310 |
| Texas | $111,190 | 370 |
| Pennsylvania | $107,740 | 530 |
| District of Columbia | $106,580 | 70 |
| Delaware | $99,060 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $97,380 | 260 |
| Louisiana | $95,420 | N/A |
| Idaho | $89,870 | 40 |
State median wages for nurse midwives (SOC 29-1161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for nurse midwives
The BLS projects employment of nurse midwives to grow 11.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 9,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for nurse midwives. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a nurse midwive
The typical entry-level education for nurse midwives is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a nurse midwive earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $196,700) and the lowest (Idaho, $89,870) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,280 people work as nurse midwives in the United States. At $128,790 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Nurse midwive salary FAQ
How much does a nurse midwive make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a nurse midwive is $61.92. The middle half of nurse midwives earn between $50.13 and $70.44 per hour.
What is the highest nurse midwive salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of nurse midwives earn more than $177,040 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a nurse midwive make a year?
The median annual salary for a nurse midwive is $128,790. The average (mean) wage is $128,110, close to the median.
Is being a nurse midwive a well paid job?
At $128,790 a year, a nurse midwive earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,280 people work as nurse midwives in the United States.
Which state pays nurse midwives the most?
California has the highest median salary for nurse midwives at $196,700 a year. Massachusetts ($155,710) and Washington ($145,000) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a nurse midwive a good career?
Employment of nurse midwives is projected to grow 11.5% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a nurse midwive?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for nurse midwives as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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