How Much Do Certified Nurse-Midwives Make?
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), earn a higher level of education than registered nurses (RNs) and have a wider scope of practice. Because of these factors, CNMs can earn a higher salary than RNs.
CNM salaries have a large range, dependent on years of experience, geographical location, and work setting. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts this profession will continue to grow through 2032, and this guide will help any prospective certified nurse-midwife find the path that will provide their highest possible earnings.
Just the Highlights: Certified Nurse-Midwife Salaries
Certified nurse-midwives can earn the highest average annual salaries in these locations and work settings:
California State
$183,740
San Francisco, CA
$202,230
Outpatient Care Centers
$164,080
How Much Do Certified Nurse-Midwives Make?
The average salary for certified nurse-midwives in the United States is $131,570, which equals about $63.25 an hour. Total compensation depends on several factors, which will be detailed below.
Certified nurse-midwife average annual salary
$131,570
Certified nurse-midwife average hourly wage
$63.25
A CNM’s salary may be much higher or lower than the average, with the BLS reporting a low average of $87,320 and a high average of $177,530 as of 2022. ZipRecruiter reports more current numbers show a salary range of $57,500 to $194,000 annually.
BLS Certified Nurse-Midwife Salary Range:
How Education Affects Certified Nurse-Midwife Salaries
All prospective certified nurse-midwives must graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to earn their registered nurse credential. Some RNs graduate with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which can be completed faster than a BSN, but most CNM programs require a BSN to apply.
After earning their BSN, nurse-midwife candidates can choose between two postgraduate degrees: A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). An MSN takes two to three years to complete (full-time) and is the minimum requirement to take the national certification exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
A DNP, on the other hand, can take three to four years full-time and is a terminal degree–the highest degree a nurse can achieve. While a DNP may take longer, certified nurse-midwives who graduate with a higher degree may find they are eligible for higher salaries.
Location and Certified Nurse-Midwife Salaries
Like in most other professions, certified nurse-midwife salaries can depend largely on geographical location. The West Coast, Northeastern states, and Hawaii offer the highest compensation for CNMs, while Midwestern states, Texas, and Florida offer the lowest.
| Top Paying States for Nurse-Midwives |
|---|
| California | $88.34 | $183,740 |
| Hawaii | $77.80 | $161,820 |
| Massachusetts | $74.08 | $154,080 |
| Maine | $67.52 | $140,440 |
| Oregon | $67.06 | $139,490 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Certified Nurse-Midwife Salaries by City
CNMs can earn more in heavily populated metropolitan areas than they can in rural or suburban areas. For example, certified nurse-midwives will earn more working in the city of San Francisco, CA, than they will in a small town 60 miles inland.
| Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurse-Midwives |
|---|
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | $65.31 | $135,850 |
| Tucson, AZ | $62.81 | $130,640 |
| Anchorage, AK | $62.68 | $130,380 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $61.68 | $128,300 |
| Trenton, NJ | $60.27 | $125,360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $59.64 | $124,050 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $58.86 | $122,430 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $51.94 | $108,040 |
| Knoxville, TN | $45.20 | $94,020 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $45.14 | $93,900 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Certified Nurse-Midwife Salaries
Workplace type can have a big impact on certified nurse-midwife salaries. CNMs can work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, birthing centers, women’s health clinics, and community health centers, all of which offer varying levels of compensation.
| Top-Paying Industries for Certified Nurse-Midwives |
|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $78.88 | $164,080 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $65.34 | $135,900 |
| Offices of Physicians | $61.32 | $127,550 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $58.30 | $121,260 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $42.47 | $88,340 |
Source: BLS
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Certified Nurse-Midwife
Certified nurse-midwives have options when choosing employment. If one position doesn’t offer the compensation they desire, they can make some adjustments to increase their earnings.
1. Try a New Work Setting
CNMs can transfer to another facility or department at any point in their career. If they are unsatisfied with their earnings in their current position, they can pursue higher-paying work settings.
2. Advance to Management
Promotion to a management role offers an immediate salary boost, and CNMs can pursue this route if they don’t mind stepping away from the bedside.
3. Work Extra Shifts
Nurse-midwives–especially those who assist in births–often take “call shifts.” These shifts don’t require a CNM to be on site, but to be ready to come if needed for a birth. Working call shifts, extra shifts, weekends, and holidays can also give a CNM’s salary a quick lift.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) Salaries FAQs
1. What roles offer the highest pay for certified nurse-midwives?
CNMs can earn the highest salary in outpatient care, at an average of $164,080. Management roles and hospitals also offer high CNM salaries.
2. What do certified nurse-midwives make per hour?
Certified nurse-midwives make about $63.25 per hour, or about $131,570 per year. These numbers are national averages and can vary depending on location, experience, and employer.
3. What is the highest a CNM can get paid?
The highest reported salary for a CNM is $202,230, but the national average is closer to $131,570.
4. Where do nurse-midwives get paid the most?
Certified nurse-midwives can earn the highest salary in California, at an average of $88.34 per hour ($183,740 annually). The top-paying metropolitan area is San Francisco, CA, which offers CNMs an average of $97.23 hourly, or $202,230 a year.
