Nurse Midwife Salary Guide for 2026

Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who care for patients through labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. As demand for maternal healthcare grows, so does the value of knowing what the role pays across the country. This guide breaks down CNM earnings by state and industry to help you plan your next move.

Key Points

• The median annual wage for nurse midwives is $128,790 (BLS, May 2024).
• State means range from $78,530 in Idaho to $183,740 in California, a spread driven by cost of living and local healthcare policy.
• California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts lead on pay, at $183,740, $161,820, and $154,080 respectively.
• Outpatient care centers top the industry list at an annual mean of $164,080.

What Is the Average Nurse Midwife Salary?

A career as a nurse midwife pays well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $128,790 for nurse midwives as of May 2024, placing them among the highest-paid nursing roles. Actual earnings vary by employer and region, with most job listings falling in the $107,000 to $139,000 range. The state and industry figures below come from the BLS May 2023 occupational employment and wage report, the most recent full breakdown available.

Nurse Midwife Salary by State

CNM pay swings widely across the country based on regional demand, cost of living, and state healthcare policy.

• California leads at an annual mean of $183,740, followed by Hawaii at $161,820 and Massachusetts at $154,080.
• New York ($135,120) and New Mexico ($116,780) draw CNMs looking for higher pay and varied opportunities.
• Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Maine average $140,440. Oregon and New Jersey pay $139,490 and $133,980. Utah comes in at $133,930.
• Alaska ($128,800), Colorado ($126,100), Maryland ($128,400), and Washington ($130,990) balance solid pay against cost of living. Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and New Hampshire cluster around $128,650.
• Idaho is the lowest-paying state at $78,530. Florida ($99,310), South Carolina ($95,940), and Tennessee ($103,430) also land below the national average.

Nurse Midwife Salary by Industry

Where a CNM works shapes pay as much as where they live.

• Outpatient care centers pay the most, at an annual mean of $164,080.
• Offices of physicians employ the most CNMs, about 3,490 nurse midwives, or 12% of the field.

Where the Jobs Are

California leads on both employment and pay, which makes it the most lucrative state for nurse midwives. New York ranks second in employment with about 740 CNMs and a mean wage of $135,120. Massachusetts pays a high $154,080 despite ranking lower on employment. Florida has the ninth-highest employment with roughly 270 CNMs but a below-average mean of $99,310, reflecting its cost of living and market. Maryland and New Jersey pair competitive wages of $128,400 and $133,980 with strong employment.

Nurse midwifery offers a rewarding career with real variation in pay and opportunity across states and settings. Use these trends to plan where and how you want to practice.