Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Nurse Midwife
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring nurse midwifes, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $134,040), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify Certified Nurse-Midwife (AMCB) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for nurse midwifes
There are about 8,200 nurse midwifes employed in the U.S., with roughly 400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +11.5% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $93,620–$116,510 | $45.01–$56.01 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $157,400 | $75.67 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $188,320 | $90.54 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Master's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Prenatal care
- Calm under pressure
Nice-to-haves
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (AMCB)
- State APRN license
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Experience with fetal heart monitors
Where to find nurse midwifes
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: CNM, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Midwife, Women’s Health Provider
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why midwifery?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you handle emergencies?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
3. “How do you support patient choices?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “What labor experience do you have?”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific.
5. “How do you collaborate with OBs?”
What a strong answer includes: Show teamwork.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Conduct a Prenatal Visit (see the steps)
- Support a Patient in Labor (see the steps)
- Respond to Postpartum Hemorrhage (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as CNM, Prenatal care, Postpartum
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Nurse Midwife 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Nurse Midwife training. Show them the path forward: Labor and Delivery RN → Certified Nurse-Midwife → Lead Midwife → Birth Center Director or Faculty.
Hiring nurse midwifes: FAQ
How much should I pay a nurse midwife?
The U.S. median wage for nurse midwifes is $134,040 per year ($64.44/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($116,510), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($157,400). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a nurse midwife have?
BLS lists “master's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Certified Nurse-Midwife (AMCB) and State APRN license where relevant, plus skills such as prenatal care, labor management, and newborn assessment.
How long does it take to train a new nurse midwife?
Becoming qualified typically takes 6–8 years including RN education. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”