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As highly qualified healthcare providers with sought-after skills, certified nurse midwives (CNMs) enjoy expansive opportunities for advancement. They also are among the most highly paid nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Take a look at median annual salaries by state.
Median Annual Nurse Midwife Salary
Nurse Midwives
National data
Median Salary: $120,880
Projected job growth: 6.4%
10th Percentile: $77,510
25th Percentile: $102,510
75th Percentile: $137,010
90th Percentile: $171,230
Projected job growth: 6.4%
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $116,950 | $76,900 | $162,860 |
| Arizona | $109,380 | $37,210 | $146,280 |
| California | $177,800 | $88,710 | $221,800 |
| Colorado | $107,380 | $99,970 | $138,220 |
| Connecticut | $118,730 | $73,740 | $143,780 |
| Delaware | $111,860 | $47,700 | $151,330 |
| District of Columbia | $84,480 | $65,370 | $140,080 |
| Florida | $105,930 | $63,120 | $129,180 |
| Georgia | $121,370 | $100,460 | $158,250 |
| Hawaii | $165,480 | $124,990 | $170,700 |
| Idaho | $52,160 | $19,080 | $84,800 |
| Illinois | $125,670 | $105,770 | $131,860 |
| Indiana | $111,540 | $69,470 | $141,280 |
| Iowa | $112,420 | $71,700 | $132,200 |
| Kansas | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Louisiana | $121,530 | $109,110 | $134,000 |
| Maine | $120,200 | $104,070 | $229,990 |
| Maryland | $123,060 | $104,000 | $137,980 |
| Massachusetts | $136,180 | $108,640 | $188,590 |
| Michigan | $121,100 | $93,600 | $137,010 |
| Minnesota | $115,210 | $102,060 | $137,810 |
| Missouri | $112,180 | $74,270 | $132,710 |
| New Hampshire | $110,450 | $104,380 | $133,700 |
| New Jersey | $126,740 | $82,780 | $158,330 |
| New Mexico | $116,250 | $60,540 | $144,320 |
| New York | $127,360 | $103,780 | $156,440 |
| North Carolina | $119,020 | $81,700 | $133,430 |
| Ohio | $130,270 | $79,710 | $159,550 |
| Oregon | $133,470 | $111,410 | $175,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $118,640 | $81,100 | $146,960 |
| Rhode Island | $127,390 | $83,250 | $138,600 |
| South Carolina | $96,730 | $29,260 | $108,090 |
| Tennessee | $93,600 | $87,400 | $111,300 |
| Texas | $105,360 | $20,050 | $135,280 |
| Utah | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Vermont | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Virginia | $97,390 | $80,460 | $138,080 |
| Washington | $134,770 | $108,940 | $168,220 |
| West Virginia | $179,860 | $102,450 | $179,860 |
| Wisconsin | $117,310 | $77,510 | $152,720 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
In This Article
Earning Potential | Demand | Job Growth | Competition | Advancing Your Career
Nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), a category that also includes nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and other highly educated nurses. While their work can differ substantially, they all are generally well compensated.
Here’s a look at how nurse midwife salaries stack up against pay for other APRNs and healthcare professionals with similar education and training.
Salary Comparison for Midwives and Other Healthcare Providers
| Career | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Midwives | $120,880 |
| Physician Assistants | $126,010 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $121,610 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $203,090 |
| Physical Therapists | $97,720 |
Earning Potential
The BLS reports that certified nurse midwives in the bottom 10% of earners receive $77,510 annually, while those in the top 10 percent make $171,230. Your earning potential will depend on several factors, including work hours and conditions and daily responsibilities.
Your earning potential will depend on several factors, where you work and live, work hours and conditions, and daily responsibilities.
Where you work can make a significant difference in your salary as well. According to the BLS, these are the top five places to work by salary if you’re a CNM.
Place of Employment
Salary
Government agencies
$121,430
Outpatient care centers
$153,310
Physicians’ offices
$120,120
General medical, and surgical hospitals
$129,960
Colleges, universities, and professional schools
$111,580
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where you live can have an even bigger impact on your pay. According to the BLS, certified nurse midwife salaries in the top metro areas are all above the national average.
| Metro Area | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $191,170 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $181,550 |
| Charleston, WV | $179,860 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $177,460 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $172,870 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $165,480 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $162,820 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $151,710 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $137,620 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | $136,000 |
Demand for Nurse Midwives
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) reports that certified nurse midwives attended 12% of U.S. births in 2021.
Demand for nurse midwives is expected to increase, partly because they serve as primary caregivers for some women. The continued national shortage of general, family practice, and primary care physicians also is driving demand.
Job Growth in the Field
Job growth for certified nurse midwives is strong—6.4% through 2032, according to the BLS.
In addition to demand, a career as a nurse midwife or in other APRN specialties can be attractive because these nurses practice with a high degree of responsibility and autonomy. That’s largely because the federal government defines APRNs as primary care providers, a designation that allows them to perform many of the same tasks as physicians, including:
- Writing prescriptions
- Ordering tests
- Diagnosing health issues
- Creating treatment plans
In addition to demand, a career as a midwife can be attractive because they practice with a high degree of responsibility and autonomy.
Competition for Jobs
Where you work can play a big role in the competition for CNM positions.
Nurse midwives are less likely to face competition in a hospital setting, where turnover can be high due to irregular hours and other factors. On the other hand, midwives might find more competition if they want to work in a physician’s office, where regular hours are the norm and conditions are generally better.
Whether a job is in a city or a rural community can also affect competition because it’s generally harder for rural areas to recruit healthcare workers.
Advancing Your Career
Certified nurse midwives must earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to practice. Those who want to move ahead might consider pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
A doctorate can open the door to leadership and nurse manager roles in hospitals and clinics and prepare CNMs for university teaching roles or work in public policy.
Written and reported by:
Malia Jacobson
Contributing Writer
