How Much Does a Midwife Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$134,040
Midwives in the U.S. earn a median of $134,040 a year, or $64.44 an hour. Half of midwives earn more than $134,040 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $188,320.
Pay percentiles for midwives
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45.01 | $93,620 |
| 25th | $56.01 | $116,510 |
| 50th (median) | $64.44 | $134,040 |
| 75th | $75.67 | $157,400 |
| 90th | $90.54 | $188,320 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Nurse Midwives (SOC 29-1161). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for midwives
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $203,840 | $98.00 | +52% |
| Hawaii | $170,110 | $81.78 | +27% |
| Massachusetts | $159,800 | $76.83 | +19% |
| Washington | $158,970 | $76.43 | +19% |
| New Jersey | $153,970 | $74.03 | +15% |
| Vermont | $151,030 | $72.61 | +13% |
| Oregon | $146,900 | $70.62 | +10% |
| New York | $144,510 | $69.48 | +8% |
| New Hampshire | $142,960 | $68.73 | +7% |
| Arizona | $140,960 | $67.77 | +5% |
| United States | $134,040 | $64.44 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many midwives are there?
BLS counts about 7,920 midwives employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Nurse Midwives”. The most jobs are in California (870), Florida (460) and Michigan (430).
The mean (average) annual wage is $136,980, higher than the median of $134,040.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $11,170
- Biweekly
- $5,155
- Weekly
- $2,578
- Daily (8 hours)
- $516
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do midwives make an hour?
The median hourly wage for midwives is $64.44. The middle 50% earn between $56.01 and $75.67 an hour.
Which state pays midwives the most?
California has the highest median wage for midwives at $203,840, +52% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for midwives?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of midwives earn less than $93,620 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.