As the demand for highly skilled nurses has begun leading many RNs to pursue higher degrees, the certified nurse midwife (CNM) career has become a popular advanced nursing pathway. Those with a passion for women’s health, infants, and the child-birthing process can find much success in the role. With advanced practice nurses regularly making six-figure salaries, RNs interested in both a rewarding and lucrative career option are increasingly turning to the certified nurse midwife option.

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How Much Does a Certified Nurse Midwife Make?

There are a few factors that will determine a CNM's salary:

Type of Employer

Certified nurse midwives can work in physicians' offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, alternative birthing centers, private practice, and more. Each of these employers has a different payscale, so CNM salaries can vary widely from one to the other. Outpatient care centers tend to pay on the higher range of the spectrum, with an annual mean wage of $115,070.

Location

City and state play a large role in CNM salary averages. Urban and highly populated areas (including large cities) tend to pay more than rural areas. California is one of the highest ranking states for certified nurse midwife annual salaries, paying their CNMs an average of $132,950 per year. The national median annual wage for certified nurse midwives is $102,390.

Experience & Degree Level

RNs can become certified nurse midwives with either a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. While an MSN degree is most common for CNMs, those with a higher-level DNP may have access to the most prestigious positions in the field. Certifications and credentials can also lead to higher salaries, as employers often base salary amounts on the level of training and experience a CNM can demonstrate.

Research available midwifery schools and DNP salary.

Certified Nurse Midwife Salary Per Hour

From state to state, the average hourly salary for certified nurse midwives will fluctuate. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average hourly wage for CNMs lands at $49.23 as of May 2016 (latest available data). Depending on factors such as experience, location, and more, CNMs can generally expect to earn between $46.00 and $57.00 per hour.

A few of the national top-paying industries for CNMs are as follows:

  • Outpatient care centers, with an hourly mean wage of $55.32
  • General medical and surgical hospitals, with an hourly mean wage of $50.82
  • Offices of physicians, with an hourly mean wage of $49.69

Nurse Midwife Salary Table

LocationTotal EmploymentAnnual Salary
United States7,950$120,880
Alaska80$116,950
Arizona130$109,380
California910$177,800
Colorado130$107,380
Connecticut240$118,730
Delaware70$111,860
District of Columbia70$84,480
Florida500$105,930
Georgia340$121,370
Hawaii-$165,480
Idaho70$52,160
Illinois280$125,670
Indiana120$111,540
Iowa30$112,420
Kansas60*
Louisiana40$121,530
Maine60$120,200
Maryland180$123,060
Massachusetts290$136,180
Michigan290$121,100
Minnesota340$115,210
Missouri130$112,180
New Hampshire50$110,450
New Jersey-$126,740
New Mexico80$116,250
New York790$127,360
North Carolina280$119,020
Ohio180$130,270
Oregon150$133,470
Pennsylvania260$118,640
Rhode Island50$127,390
South Carolina80$96,730
Tennessee180$93,600
Texas490$105,360
Utah110*
Vermont50*
Virginia-$97,390
Washington150$134,770
West Virginia-$179,860
Wisconsin200$117,310

Table data taken from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291161.htm)

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