Registered Nurse
Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
- $97,550
- 2–4 years
Healthcare career
Nurse Midwife
Also called: CNM · Certified Nurse-Midwife · Midwife · Women’s Health Provider
What nurse midwifes do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a nurse midwife do?
Nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses who provide prenatal care, deliver babies, care for newborns and offer gynecologic and family planning care. The median pay is $134,040 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years including RN education, and employment is projected to grow +11.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$134,040$64.44/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+11.5%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train6–8 years including RN educationTypical program length
- U.S. jobs8,200Employment, 2025
What nurse midwifes do
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) support women through pregnancy, labor, birth and beyond. They provide prenatal visits, manage labor and deliver babies in hospitals, birth centers and homes, care for mothers and newborns after birth, and offer gynecologic exams, contraception and menopause care. They consult with obstetricians when complications arise.
CNMs are registered nurses who complete a graduate midwifery program and pass a national certification exam. BLS projects faster-than-average growth for nurse midwives.
Typical duties
- Provide prenatal care
- Manage labor and deliver babies
- Care for mothers and newborns after birth
- Provide gynecologic exams
- Offer contraception and family planning
- Educate patients
- Consult and refer when needed
Work environment and schedule
CNMs work in hospitals, birth centers, clinics and sometimes patients’ homes.
Schedule: Births happen any time, so midwives take call and work nights, weekends and holidays.
A day in the life
- Check on a patient in early labor.
- See prenatal patients in clinic.
- Do an annual gynecologic exam.
- Return to labor and delivery to support pushing.
See a full day in the life of a nurse midwife →
Nurse Midwife salary
Half of nurse midwifes earned more than $134,040 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $93,620 for the lowest 10% to $188,320 for the top 10%.
Full nurse midwife pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a nurse midwife
- Become an RN
- Gain experience
- Complete a midwifery program
- Pass the AMCB exam
- Get licensed
CNMs are RNs who earn a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited nurse-midwifery program and pass the AMCB certification exam.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse midwife →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Prenatal care
- Labor management
- Newborn assessment
- Gynecologic care
- Pharmacology
People skills
- Calm under pressure
- Empathy
- Communication
- Patience
All nurse midwife skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deeply meaningful work
- Strong patient relationships
- High pay
- Faster-than-average growth
Cons
- Unpredictable hours
- High-stakes emergencies
- Emotional losses
- Long training path
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (AMCB): National certification.
- State APRN license: Required to practice.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): Newborn resuscitation.
- Electronic fetal monitoring certification: Fetal heart rate interpretation.
Career path
- Labor and Delivery RN: Gain experience.
- Certified Nurse-Midwife: Provide care.
- Lead Midwife: Lead services.
- Birth Center Director or Faculty: Lead or teach.
Learn the job before day one
Our Nurse Midwife training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as conduct a prenatal visit and support a patient in labor, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Nurse Practitioner
Diagnose, treat and prescribe as an advanced practice registered nurse.
- $132,300
- 6–8 years including RN education
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Care for women’s reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth.
- $292,910
- 12 years after high school
Nurse Anesthetist
Give anesthesia and keep patients safe during surgery and procedures.
- $236,590
- 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience
Compare: CNM vs. RN · CNM vs. NP · CNM vs. OB-GYN · CNM vs. CRNA
Nurse Midwife FAQ
Do nurse midwives deliver babies?
Yes, in hospitals, birth centers and homes.
Do CNMs need to be nurses?
Yes, CNMs are RNs with graduate midwifery education.
Do midwives only care for pregnant women?
No, they also provide gynecologic and family planning care.
How much does a nurse midwife make?
The median annual wage for nurse midwifes was $134,040 ($64.44 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $93,620 and the highest 10% earned more than $188,320.
How long does it take to become a nurse midwife?
Most people need about 6–8 years including RN education of training. CNMs are RNs who earn a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited nurse-midwifery program and pass the AMCB certification exam.
Do you need a degree to be a nurse midwife?
Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.
More nurse midwife questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1161 (Nurse midwives).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Nurse midwives (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.