Earning Ceiling

Specialties CNM

Published

I know people can get annoyed when this kind of thread comes up, but this is an anonymous forum and my only way of finding out this info. If you're one of those people, simply don't reply. No need to tell me about your opinion on the matter.

Now, here goes... I'm at a crossroads right now. I can choose to proceed with my career plans and become a CNM, or I can stop and go on a completely different path, one that comes with a healthy salary to boot. For several different reasons, including my family size and financial status, my earning potential as a midwife worries me. I've read threads that say that midwives who work full time in large hospitals are making around 100,000/year. Considering the time, money and sacrifice that I'm putting into my schooling, that amount is not worth it. I am wondering what you all have to say about this. Is 100K really the maximum that I can expect to earn? Needless to say, I'm not scared to work hard. I just need to know that my investment now will pay off in the future by allowing me to sustain my family comfortably.

Thanks in advance! I will appreciate any input.

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100k is not a cap but pay is low compared hours worked. I've been a hospital CNM, full scope for 8 year and I make $ 102 k. I don't do it for the hours or money í ½í¸€

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Specializes in OB.

It's not the most money that's POSSIBLE to be made, but it's pretty average. Jobs where you'll make more will generally have you working lots of hours. I've been a midwife for 2.5 years, work a strict 40 hour work week in a public hospital, and make about $90k/year. This is low, but my health insurance is excellent and free, and I'm getting almost incomparable experience, in terms of the patients I see and the large supportive group of midwives I work with. To me it's worth it. I don't plan to stay there forever, but I'm pretty fulfilled. I know hospital midwives who make about $150k/year, but they work 60-80 hours/week. I also know homebirth midwives who are making probably $250k/year, but they are obviously on call 24/7.

Just curious, what other career pathway are you looking at that will earn you a lot more? Is it in healthcare, or something completely different?

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Thank you guys! The other job is healthcare related, but not clinical.

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Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.

Are you talking about a geographic earning cap? I know in the West Coast, regular bedside staff nurses make $100,000 a year right out of school. I can tell you this from experience, our new hires start at $47.60 working 144 hour a month. Once you factor in the mandatory holidays employees have to work, they can break $100,000 easily.

I am a numbers person, the return on investment must justify going through an advanced degree.

The simple answer is NO, 100K is just a start. You can make way more money.

The hard answer is what are you willing to do? Are you willing to move? What is your cost of living? Etc.

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Are you talking about a geographic earning cap? I know in the West Coast, regular bedside staff nurses make $100,000 a year right out of school. I can tell you this from experience, our new hires start at $47.60 working 144 hour a month. Once you factor in the mandatory holidays employees have to work, they can break $100,000 easily.

I am a numbers person, the return on investment must justify going through an advanced degree.

The simple answer is NO, 100K is just a start. You can make way more money.

The hard answer is what are you willing to do? Are you willing to move? What is your cost of living? Etc.

I live on the east coast, and moving is not something I would like to do.

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Specializes in L&D.

Where on the East coast are you? I'm in NC and the earring salary is probably around 90-100k here. I'm a labor and delivery nurse who will hopefully start CNM school in August. In comparison, as a nurse I make 40$/hr by working nights and weekends. Weekday nights I make 30.10. I work a prn job as well which pays 40/hr. After taxes and insurance I make about 3800 from my full time and 700-1400 from my prn job a month. But in working 48 hours a week...nights...weekends. I think when you compare all the other benefits as an ANP such as CEU paid, insurance, hours...you will see the benefit more clearly than just pay.

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Specializes in OB.

I do also want to say that if you're in any way on the fence about midwifery, it's probably best not to pursue it. It's a very unique career that really requires complete dedication. If you are still unsure, I feel like you're just going to end up being disappointed and will have wasted a large amount of money.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
I do also want to say that if you're in any way on the fence about midwifery, it's probably best not to pursue it. It's a very unique career that really requires complete dedication. If you are still unsure, I feel like you're just going to end up being disappointed and will have wasted a large amount of money.

I could NOT agree more. Midwifery is a terrible job, unless you love it. Then, of course, it is the best thing ever. But you really have to love it, or else it is very easy to burn out. It's not just the acute nature of inpatient work- it's also the crazy hours, with the resultant stress on your home life.

It's always best to wade around in the field a little bit before committing such an enormous amount of time, effort and money into a degree. Maybe get some doula training and attend some births to get an idea of what it is like to work those kinds of hours, or find a midwife who will let you shadow.

As far as salary, I work at Planned Parenthood and make less than midwives who work for private offices and/or do full scope work. But I only work 37.5 hours a week, versus the 50+ hours at the full scope positions I considered, so it actually works out to more per hour.

PP is very transparent about salary grades, and the cap for clinical NPs/CNMs is definitely NOT 100K. I can't remember the number but it is definitely well above that. Plus you can make more if you move out of a purely clinical role. And once you reach the top of your pay grade, you are still able to increase your salary through bonuses etc.

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Where on the East coast are you? I'm in NC and the earring salary is probably around 90-100k here. I'm a labor and delivery nurse who will hopefully start CNM school in August. In comparison, as a nurse I make 40$/hr by working nights and weekends. Weekday nights I make 30.10. I work a prn job as well which pays 40/hr. After taxes and insurance I make about 3800 from my full time and 700-1400 from my prn job a month. But in working 48 hours a week...nights...weekends. I think when you compare all the other benefits as an ANP such as CEU paid, insurance, hours...you will see the benefit more clearly than just pay.

I'm in New Jersey. This indecision is killing me[emoji30]

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I could NOT agree more. Midwifery is a terrible job, unless you love it. Then, of course, it is the best thing ever. But you really have to love it, or else it is very easy to burn out. It's not just the acute nature of inpatient work- it's also the crazy hours, with the resultant stress on your home life.

It's always best to wade around in the field a little bit before committing such an enormous amount of time, effort and money into a degree. Maybe get some doula training and attend some births to get an idea of what it is like to work those kinds of hours, or find a midwife who will let you shadow.

As far as salary, I work at Planned Parenthood and make less than midwives who work for private offices and/or do full scope work. But I only work 37.5 hours a week, versus the 50+ hours at the full scope positions I considered, so it actually works out to more per hour.

PP is very transparent about salary grades, and the cap for clinical NPs/CNMs is definitely NOT 100K. I can't remember the number but it is definitely well above that. Plus you can make more if you move out of a purely clinical role. And once you reach the top of your pay grade, you are still able to increase your salary through bonuses etc.

Thanks! I really wish there was a way for me to get some more experience in women's health. Since completing my OB rotation (during which I got to see ONE birth, albeit an amazing one), I've tried reaching out to midwives in my area, but non were willing to let me shadow :(

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Are you talking about a geographic earning cap? I know in the West Coast, regular bedside staff nurses make $100,000 a year right out of school. I can tell you this from experience, our new hires start at $47.60 working 144 hour a month. Once you factor in the mandatory holidays employees have to work, they can break $100,000 easily.

I am a numbers person, the return on investment must justify going through an advanced degree.

The simple answer is NO, 100K is just a start. You can make way more money.

The hard answer is what are you willing to do? Are you willing to move? What is your cost of living? Etc.

What do you think the range is say, 10 years from graduation? For example, if I become partner in midwifery practice.

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