Nurse Midwives
Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.
What it pays
Nurse Midwives earn a median of $64.44/hr — about $134,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $45.01/hr; the top 10% earn $90.54/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Nurse Midwives earn a median of $64.44/hr — about $134,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $45.01/hr; the top 10% earn $90.54/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Provide prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, or newborn care to patients.
- Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, or estimating fetal size and weight.
- Document patients' health histories, symptoms, physical conditions, or other diagnostic information.
- Provide patients with direct family planning services, such as inserting intrauterine devices, dispensing oral contraceptives, and fitting cervical barriers, including cervical caps or diaphragms.
- Prescribe medications as permitted by state regulations.
- Develop and implement individualized plans for health care management.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 1% of nurse midwives are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and hands-on.
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Quick questions
- How much does a nurse midwive make?
- The median pay is $64.44 per hour — roughly $134,000 a year, with the real range running from about $45.01/hr (10th percentile) to $90.54/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a nurse midwive?
- The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a nurse midwive actually do all day?
- Provide prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, or newborn care to patients. Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, or estimating fetal size and weight. Document patients' health histories, symptoms, physical conditions, or other diagnostic information.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.