How to Become a Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Guide patients through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care as an advanced practice nurse specializing in the whole birthing process. It typically requires a master's degree, with a median salary of $134,040 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$134,040/yr
Middle half
$116,510 to $157,400
Job growth
Much faster than average
Openings / yr
500
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Obstetric Care
- Patient Education
- Clinical Judgment
- Monitoring
- Communication
Helpful certifications
- CNM (AMCB Certified Nurse-Midwife)
- RN licensure
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
1/100
Work-life balance
47/100
Stress level
74/100
Related careers
- Psychiatrist$281,870 median
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- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)$236,590 median
- Dentist$170,950 median
- Pharmacist$140,910 median
- Optometrist$136,570 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Nurse Midwife (CNM) make?
The median pay for a Nurse Midwife (CNM) is $134,040 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $116,510 and $157,400 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Nurse Midwife (CNM)?
The usual entry point is a master's degree. Common majors are Nursing and Public Health.
Is Nurse Midwife (CNM) a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is much faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 500 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Nurse Midwife (CNM) use most?
Common skills for this role are Obstetric Care, Patient Education, Clinical Judgment, Monitoring, and Communication.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).