Nurse Midwife salary in California
Nurse Midwives in California earn a median of $203,840 a year ($98.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $140,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,590 for the top 10%. That is 52% higher than the national median of $134,040. California ranks 1st of 39 states for nurse midwives pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 nurse midwives per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $194,730, close to the median.
Pay range for nurse midwives in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $140,970 | $67.77 |
| 25th percentile | $176,080 | $84.66 |
| Median | $203,840 | $98.00 |
| 75th percentile | $216,560 | $104.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,590 | $109.42 |
| Average (mean) | $194,730 | $93.62 |
Half of nurse midwives earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $16,986.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,493.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,840 |
| Weekly | $3,920 |
| Hourly | $98.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Midwife salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $218,760 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $212,630 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $202,850 | 220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $191,220 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $181,450 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for nurse midwives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $203,840 |
| Hawaii | $170,110 |
| Massachusetts | $159,800 |
| Washington | $158,970 |
| New Jersey | $153,970 |
| Vermont | $151,030 |
| Oregon | $146,900 |
| New York | $144,510 |
| New Hampshire | $142,960 |
| Arizona | $140,960 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1161. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse midwife make in California?
The median salary for nurse midwives in California is $203,840 a year, or $98.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $140,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse midwives make in California?
The top 10% of nurse midwives in California earn at least $227,590 a year. The top 25% earn $216,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse midwives in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $140,970 a year, and a quarter of nurse midwives earn $176,080 or less.
How many nurse midwives work in California?
About 870 nurse midwives are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.