Earning Ceiling

[DreamerMW]

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.

[Maevish, ASN, RN]

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

You can always make more money if you do OT or go on call...I've never worked anywhere else but California/Sac/Bay Area and I didn't/don't make over $80K unless I work a lot of OT (course I'm just ICU and CNM is more of a specialty). The benefits of being on staff somewhere, though, like great insurance costing little to no money, paid leave, free classes, etc are something to take into account.

Unless you have a family of 8 or you live in San Fran/LA proper, 100K is enough to keep everyone clothed, housed, fed, and not in need of anything (and if that's the "bottom" of the monitary ladder you should be able to work up from there).

God, I hope that didn't come out the wrong way, but that's quite a bit of money (especially depending on where one lives) for a small-medium family to live with for 2-3 years until you either move up the pay scale or do enough OT to increase it regularly.

If you're not sure though, and money is the only thing you're concerned about with this area of nursing, maybe wait a bit and see if there's something else you want to do? Most even "regular" nurses can make great money if they want to put in the work, but if the expectations are that high, you may be setting yourself up for failure if your initial goal is that high and nothing else will do.

Best of luck! xo

[Libby1987]

You can always make more money if you do OT or go on call...I've never worked anywhere else but California/Sac/Bay Area and I didn't/don't make over $80K unless I work a lot of OT (course I'm just ICU and CNM is more of a specialty). The benefits of being on staff somewhere, though, like great insurance costing little to no money, paid leave, free classes, etc are something to take into account.

Unless you have a family of 8 or you live in San Fran/LA proper, 100K is enough to keep everyone clothed, housed, fed, and not in need of anything (and if that's the "bottom" of the monitary ladder you should be able to work up from there).

God, I hope that didn't come out the wrong way, but that's quite a bit of money (especially depending on where one lives) for a small-medium family to live with for 2-3 years until you either move up the pay scale or do enough OT to increase it regularly.

If you're not sure though, and money is the only thing you're concerned about with this area of nursing, maybe wait a bit and see if there's something else you want to do? Most even "regular" nurses can make great money if they want to put in the work, but if the expectations are that high, you may be setting yourself up for failure if your initial goal is that high and nothing else will do.

Best of luck! xo

Really? I broke 100K years ago in home health M-F days. Non Bay Area.