Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive care to pregnant women from labor and delivery and through postpartum recovery. As the demand for maternal healthcare grows, so does the need to understand the salary of nurse midwives across different states in the U.S. In this nurse salary guide, we’ll show you the state-by-state overview of earnings of nurse midwives. Whether you’re a current CNM planning your next move or considering entering the field, this guide provides essential insights to help you make informed career decisions.
Key points
- The average salary of Certified Nurse Midwives is at $131,570.
- Certified Nurse Midwives earn between $78,530 in Idaho to $183,740 in California, highlighting significant regional differences influenced by factors like cost of living and local healthcare policies.
- California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts lead in annual mean wages for CNMs, offering salaries of $183,740, $161,820, and $154,080 respectively, making these states highly attractive for financial advancement.
- Outpatient Care Centers top the list with an annual mean salary of $164,080 for CNMs, showcasing the financial benefits of specialized outpatient services.
Table of Contents
- What is the Average Certified Nurse Midwife Salary?
- Nurse Midwife Salary by State
- Highest Paying States for Nurse Midwives
- Nurse Midwives Salary by Industry
- States with the Highest Employment Levels for Nurse Midwives
- Top Paying Cities for Nurse Midwives
- Sources
What is the Average Certified Nurse Midwife Salary?
Pursuing a career as a nurse midwife can be both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) earn an impressive average salary of $131,570, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making them the second highest-paid nursing specialization among nursing professions on our list. However, CNM salaries can vary based on data from multiple job listing platforms, with annual earnings typically ranging from $107,470 to $139,000.
| U.S. BLS | Glassdoor | Salary.com | Payscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| $131,570 | $139,000 | $124,402 | $107,470 |
According to the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Certified Nurse Midwives have the following national employment and salary statistics:
| Total Employment of CNMs | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual CRN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 6,960 | $63.26 | $131,750 |
Nurse Midwife Salary by State
Certified Nurse Midwife salaries across the United States exhibit a wide range, reflecting factors such as regional demand, cost of living, and state-specific healthcare policies. Here are some key insights:
- California leads with the highest annual mean salary for CNMs at $183,740, followed by Hawaii at $161,820, and Massachusetts at $154,080.
- New York ($135,120) and New Mexico ($116,780) are emerging as attractive destinations for CNMs seeking higher earnings and diverse professional opportunities.
- Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Maine collectively provide CNMs with an average salary of $140,440. Oregon and New Jersey offer strong compensation at $139,490 and $133,980 respectively. Utah also presents a high salary of $133,930, positioning it as an attractive state for CNMs.
- States such as Alaska ($128,800), Colorado ($126,100), Maryland ($128,400), and Washington ($130,990) offer robust salaries that balance cost of living and demand.Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and New Hampshire cluster around $128,650, indicating strong regional healthcare markets.
- Idaho stands out as the lowest paying state with an annual mean salary of $78,530. Florida ($99,310), South Carolina ($95,940), and Tennessee ($103,430) also offer lower salaries compared to the national average, making them less lucrative options for CNMs.
- There is a wide range of salaries for CNMs across the United States, from $78,530 in Idaho to $183,740 in California, highlighting the importance of geographic location in career and salary planning.
The table below shows the state-by-state breakdown of Certified Nurse Midwife salaries based from the data of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023).
| State | Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | – |
| Alaska | $128,800 |
| Arizona | $119,190 |
| Arkansas | – |
| California | $183,740 |
| Colorado | $126,100 |
| Connecticut | $122,530 |
| Delaware | $121,690 |
| District of Columbia | $109,970 |
| Florida | $99,310 |
| Georgia | $124,020 |
| Hawaii | $161,820 |
| Idaho | $78,530 |
| Illinois | $123,820 |
| Indiana | $120,090 |
| Iowa | $124,040 |
| Kansas | – |
| Kentucky | – |
| Louisiana | – |
| Maine | $140,440 |
| Maryland | $128,400 |
| Massachusetts | $154,080 |
| Michigan | $120,370 |
| Minnesota | $121,860 |
| Mississippi | – |
| Missouri | $122,900 |
| Montana | – |
| Nebraska | – |
| Nevada | – |
| New Hampshire | $128,650 |
| New Jersey | $133,980 |
| New Mexico | $116,780 |
| New York | $135,120 |
| North Carolina | $118,660 |
| North Dakota | – |
| Ohio | $124,140 |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | $139,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $121,410 |
| Puerto Rico | – |
| Rhode Island | $125,820 |
| South Carolina | $95,940 |
| South Dakota | – |
| Tennessee | $103,430 |
| Texas | $112,660 |
| Utah | $133,930 |
| Vermont | – |
| Virginia | $118,750 |
| Washington | $130,990 |
| West Virginia | – |
| Wisconsin | $128,550 |
| Wyoming | – |
| Guam | – |
| Virgin Islands | – |
Highest Paying States for Nurse Midwives
The following table highlights the top 15 states offering the highest annual mean wages for Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs).
| Rank | State | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $183,740 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $161,820 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $154,080 |
| 4 | Maine | $140,440 |
| 5 | Oregon | $139,490 |
| 6 | New York | $135,120 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $133,980 |
| 8 | Utah | $133,930 |
| 9 | Washington | $130,990 |
| 10 | Alaska | $128,800 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $128,650 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $128,550 |
| 13 | Maryland | $128,400 |
| 14 | Colorado | $126,100 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $125,820 |
Nurse Midwives Salary by Industry
Certified Nurse Midwives can earn significantly different depending on the healthcare setting in which they work. Key insights include:
- Outpatient Care Centers remain the highest-paying industry for CNMs, with an annual mean wage of $164,080, reflecting the specialized nature of outpatient services.
- Offices of Physicians employ the highest number of CNMs, with 3,490 Nurse Midwives working in this sector, accounting for 12% of the industry’s employment.
- Outpatient Care Centers are the top-paying industry for CNMs, offering an annual mean wage of $164,080.
Industries with the Highest Nurse Midwife Salaries
These industries offer the highest annual mean salaries for nurse midwives, making them attractive options for Nurse Midwives seeking lucrative employment:
| Industry | Annual Mean CNM Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $164,080 | 1,020 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $135,900 | 1,640 |
| Local Government | $132,190 | 50 |
| Offices of Physicians | $127,550 | 3,490 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $121,260 | 90 |
Industries with the Highest Employment Levels for Nurse Midwives
The following industries represent the top employers of nurse midwives, showcasing where these professionals are most in demand along with their respective annual mean salaries.
| Industry | Employment | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Offices of Physicians | 3,490 | $127,550 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 1,640 | $135,990 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,020 | $164,080 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 470 | $88,340 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 90 | $121,260 |
States with the Highest Employment Levels for Nurse Midwives
California not only leads in employment numbers but also offers the highest annual mean wage for CNMs at $183,740, making it the most lucrative state for nurse midwives. New York stands as the second-highest in employment with 740 CNMs and offers a substantial mean wage of $135,120. Massachusetts, ranked 15th in employment, provides a high annual mean wage of $154,080, indicating strong financial incentives despite lower employment numbers compared to top-ranked states.
Florida, while having the ninth-highest employment level with 270 CNMs, offers a relatively lower annual mean wage of $99,310, which may reflect the state’s cost of living and healthcare market dynamics. Maryland and New Jersey are notable for their competitive wages of $128,400 and $133,980 respectively, alongside significant employment levels.
The following table showcases the top 15 states with the highest employment levels for CNMs, ranked in descending order based on the number of employed CNMs. Additionally, it includes each state’s corresponding annual mean wage, providing a comprehensive overview of both job availability and financial compensation.
| Rank | State | Number of CNMs Employed | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 890 | $183,740 |
| 2 | New York | 740 | $135,120 |
| 3 | Georgia | 310 | $124,020 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 300 | $118,660 |
| 5 | Missouri | 290 | $122,900 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 290 | $121,410 |
| 7 | Colorado | 280 | $126,100 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 280 | $133,980 |
| 9 | Florida | 270 | $99,310 |
| 10 | Michigan | 250 | $120,370 |
| 11 | Minnesota | 240 | $121,860 |
| 12 | Maryland | 220 | $128,400 |
| 13 | Texas | 210 | $112,660 |
| 14 | Illinois | 200 | $123,820 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 180 | $154,080 |
Top Paying Cities for Nurse Midwives
The table below highlights the top-paying metropolitan areas for nurse midwives based on employment, and annual mean salary:
| Metropolitan Area | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 220 | $ 202,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 50 | $ 199,750 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 210 | $ 184,800 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | 70 | $ 183,290 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | *no data* | $ 178,900 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 70 | $ 170,540 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 30 | $ 165,950 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 100 | $ 157,900 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 100 | $ 139,780 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 730 | $ 138,560 |
Certified Nurse Midwives enjoy a dynamic and rewarding career with substantial variations in both employment opportunities and compensation across different states and industries. We hope this salary guide helped you understand these trends to empower you to strategically navigate your career path.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-1161 Nurse Midwives