How much is the certified nurse midwife vs labor & delivery nurse pay gap in California?

The estimated gap in California is about $42,280 a year, or roughly 30% more for certified nurse midwifes. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these California figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified California wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for California's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

California · CA

Certified Nurse Midwife vs Labor & Delivery Nurse salary in California

In California, certified nurse midwifes earn more — an estimated $184,980 a year versus $142,700 for labor & delivery nurses, a gap of about $42,280 (roughly 30% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California.

Certified Nurse Midwife — California

Estimated

Median annual pay

$184,980

+38% vs national

Hourly

$88.93/hr

Median $184,980

$129,200Middle 50%: $160,780–$217,210$259,880

Typical range: $160,780–$217,210; What most nurses earn
High end: $259,880; Top earners
Entry level: $129,200; Newer nurses

Labor & Delivery Nurse — California

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$142,700

+38% vs national

Hourly

$68.61/hr

Median $142,700

$100,850Middle 50%: $117,510–$164,350$201,090

Typical range: $117,510–$164,350; What most nurses earn
High end: $201,090; Top earners
Entry level: $100,850; Newer nurses

Why the gap in California

Certified nurse midwives earn well above labor & delivery staff nurses. The CNM is an advanced-practice provider with a graduate degree who manages pregnancies and catches babies; the L&D nurse supports childbirth as a bedside RN. Many midwives start as L&D nurses, making this a common advancement path. The California figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for California's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Certified Nurse Midwife vs Labor & Delivery Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Certified Nurse Midwife vs Labor & Delivery Nurse in California — FAQ

Do certified nurse midwifes or labor & delivery nurses earn more in California?: In California, certified nurse midwifes earn more — an estimated $184,980 a year versus $142,700 for labor & delivery nurses, a gap of about $42,280 (roughly 30% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California's local pay level.
How much is the certified nurse midwife vs labor & delivery nurse pay gap in California?: The estimated gap in California is about $42,280 a year, or roughly 30% more for certified nurse midwifes. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these California figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified California wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for California's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

California figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.38×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for California. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.