How Much Does a Certified Nurse Midwife Make?

Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are among the highest-paid nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay swings widely by location and employer, so here is what shapes the number.

Key takeaways

• CNM pay varies significantly by location and setting.
• The top-paying settings include outpatient care centers and hospitals.
• Job growth is strong, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) opens the door to advancement.
• Competition for positions depends mostly on setting and geography.

Earning potential

CNMs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), the same category as nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. The BLS reports that the bottom 10% of CNMs earn $74,670 a year, while the top 10% make $177,040. Your pay depends on where you live and work, your hours and conditions, and your daily responsibilities.

Setting makes a clear difference. Average CNM pay by top-paying place of employment, per the BLS:

Place of employment	Average salary
Outpatient care centers	$146,030
General medical and surgical hospitals	$135,730
Physicians' offices	$129,220
Colleges, universities, and professional schools	$126,950
Local government agencies	$115,710

Where you live can matter even more. CNM salaries in the top metro areas all run above the national average.

Demand

The American College of Nurse-Midwives reports that CNMs attended 12% of U.S. births in 2021. Demand is expected to climb, partly because CNMs serve as primary caregivers and partly because of the ongoing shortage of family and primary care physicians.

Job growth

The BLS projects 11% job growth for nurse midwives through 2034, faster than average. Beyond demand, the work is attractive because the federal government recognizes APRNs as primary care providers, a designation that lets CNMs perform many of the same tasks as physicians, including writing prescriptions, ordering tests, diagnosing conditions, and creating treatment plans.

Competition

Setting drives competition. CNMs face less of it in hospitals, where turnover runs high due to irregular hours. Physicians' offices, with regular hours and better conditions, draw more applicants. Rural areas generally have a harder time recruiting healthcare workers, so jobs there are easier to land.

Advancing your career

A CNM must hold an MSN to practice. A DNP can lead to leadership and nurse manager roles, university teaching, or public policy work.