How Much Do Obstetrics Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence obstetrics nursing salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Obstetrics (OB) 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 obstetrics nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on maximizing earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Obstetrics Nurse Salaries
Obstetrics nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, an obstetrics nurse working in a large city hospital might make more than one working in a small rural family planning clinic.
How Much Do Obstetrics Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, obstetrics nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S. Their hourly pay averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Obstetrics nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Obstetrics nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some obstetrics 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, an obstetrics 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 Obstetrics Nurse Salaries
Aspiring obstetrics 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, obstetrics 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 Obstetrics Nurse Salaries
An obstetrics 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.
Obstetrics nurses can test for the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) certification offered by the National Certification Corporation. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can cause a pay raise.
Location and Obstetrics Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for obstetrics nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Obstetrics Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay obstetrics 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 Obstetrics Nurse Salaries by City
Like other occupations nationwide, obstetrics nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than 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 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 Obstetrics Nurse Salaries
Obstetrics nurses in acute care settings, such as hospital units, may earn higher salaries than those in a community setting, like a smaller birthing center. They can also make more money in the business world, consulting and serving as executives.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can an Obstetrics Nurse’s Salary Grow?
An obstetrics nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Obstetrics nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Obstetrics nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as an Obstetrics Nurse
Nurses can improve their salaries by taking 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 obstetrics nurse, and a prospective employer will likely choose an obstetrics nurse with certification over another one without.
2. Earn a BSN
Many universities offer bridge programs for obstetrics nurses with an ADN who want to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Obstetrics nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Obstetric nursing leadership roles can include managing a busy obstetrics unit or pursuing administrative roles in a health system.
4. Change Your Workplace
Aside from roles in consulting and business, inpatient hospital units often pay obstetrics nurses the best. Obstetrics nurses working outside that setting can try moving to a new workplace to earn higher pay.
Obstetrics Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for obstetrics nurses?
The highest-paid obstetrics nurses are those working in Outpatient Care Centers, who make an average of $102,640 a year, or $49.35 per hour.
2. What do obstetrics nurses make per hour?
Obstetrics 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 obstetrics 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).
