How Much Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence labor and delivery nursing salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective labor and delivery nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries
Labor and delivery nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
$96,830
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, a labor and delivery nurse working in a large city hospital may make more than an L&D nurse working in a small rural birthing center.
How Much Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, labor and delivery nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S. Hourly pay for these nurses averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Labor and delivery nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Labor and delivery nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some labor and delivery nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer sign-on bonuses. Based on the details laid out in this guide, a labor and delivery nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to an above average $132,680, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries
Aspiring labor and delivery nurses can reach this goal via a few different education paths. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offers a shorter option, typically finished in two years. To get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students attend four years of nursing school. Some BSN programs offer an accelerated option, which can be finished in as little as a year, but requires a previous degree or several prerequisites.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, labor and delivery nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $75,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries
A labor and delivery nurse with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect that value. Once a nurse has some experience in their field, they can apply to test for certification in that specialty.
Labor and delivery nurses can test for the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) certification offered by the National Certification Corporation. Any nursing certification proves expertise in a specialty and can result in a pay raise.
Location and Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for labor and delivery nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay labor and delivery nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| State | Average Salary |
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries by City
Similar to other occupations around the country, labor and delivery nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than they are in a small rural town in the Midwest.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Labor and Delivery Nurse Salaries
Labor and delivery nurses who work in acute care, like hospital units, may earn higher salaries than those working in a community setting, like a smaller birthing center. L&D nurses can also make more money in the business world, consulting and serving as executives.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Labor and Delivery Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A labor and delivery nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Labor and delivery nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Labor and delivery nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Labor and Delivery Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified labor and delivery nurse, and a prospective employer will likely choose a labor and delivery nurse with certification over another without.
2. Earn a BSN
For labor and delivery nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Labor and delivery nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. L&D leadership roles can include managing a busy labor and delivery unit or pursuing administrative roles in a health system.
4. Change Your Workplace
Inpatient hospital units often pay labor and delivery nurses the best, so any labor and delivery nurse working outside that setting can try moving to a new workplace to earn higher pay.
Labor and Delivery Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for labor and delivery nurses?
The highest-paid labor and delivery nurses are those working in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, who make an average of $96,830 a year, or $46.55 per hour.
2. What do labor and delivery nurses make per hour?
Labor and delivery nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay labor and delivery nurses the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
