Career comparison
Nurse Midwife vs. Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Obstetrician-gynecologists earn more at the median ($292,910 vs. $134,040), while nurse midwifes usually get to work faster (6–8 years including RN education of training). Nurse midwifes care for women through pregnancy, birth and every stage of reproductive health. Obstetrician-gynecologists care for women’s reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Nurse Midwife | Obstetrician-Gynecologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $134,040 ($64.44/hr) | $292,910 ($140.82/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $93,620 – $188,320 | $94,680 – $437,300 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +11.5% (much faster than average) | +1.7% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 500 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 6–8 years including RN education | 12 years after high school |
| Key credential | Certified Nurse-Midwife (AMCB) | ABOG board certification |
| Work setting | CNMs work in hospitals, birth centers, clinics and sometimes patients’ homes.. | OB-GYNs work in clinics, hospitals, labor and delivery units and operating rooms.. |
What each job does
Nurse Midwife
- Provide prenatal care
- Manage labor and deliver babies
- Care for mothers and newborns after birth
- Provide gynecologic exams
- Offer contraception and family planning
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
- Provide prenatal care
- Deliver babies and perform cesarean sections
- Manage high-risk pregnancies
- Perform gynecologic exams and screenings
- Treat reproductive conditions
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, high-pay, and shift work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose nurse midwife if…
- I want to support women through birth
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I build trust easily
Choose obstetrician-gynecologist if…
- I want to care for women’s health
- I like both clinic and surgery
- I stay calm in emergencies
Still torn? Take the Nurse Midwife fit quiz and the Obstetrician-Gynecologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, nurse midwife or obstetrician-gynecologist?
Obstetrician-Gynecologists earn more at the median: $292,910 versus $134,040 for nurse midwifes, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Nurse Midwifes typically train faster (6–8 years including RN education) than obstetrician-gynecologists (12 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects nurse midwifes to grow +11.5% from 2025–35, compared with +1.7% for obstetrician-gynecologists.