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Career

Midwives

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure

What they do

Provide prenatal care and childbirth assistance.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $65,790 Median per year · $31.63/hr Most earn $38,660–$129,830

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Monitor maternal condition during labor by checking vital signs, monitoring uterine contractions, or performing physical examinations.
  • Monitor fetal growth and well-being through heartbeat detection, body measurement, and palpation.
  • Set up or monitor the administration of oxygen or medications.
  • Identify tubal and ectopic pregnancies and refer patients for treatments.
  • Evaluate patients' laboratory and medical records, requesting assistance from other practitioners when necessary.
  • Perform annual gynecologic exams, including pap smears and breast exams.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 2,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • General medical and surgical hospitals29.0%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service8.3%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools8.2%
  • Self-employed (their own business)6.3%
  • Offices of physicians5.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Midwifery usually isn't an entry-level job. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then gain about 1 to 2 years of related health care experience before working as a midwife. Note that the Nurse Midwife role in the related careers list is listed as needing a master's degree, so check the requirements for the exact credential you want.

  1. Bachelor's degree in nursing, health sciences, or a related field

    4 years

    You build core science and health knowledge, and a nursing or health sciences major can help you qualify for hands-on patient care jobs.

  2. Registered Nurse

    1-2 years

    Working in labor and delivery or women's health gives you real experience with pregnancy, birth, and newborn care, which is the foundation midwifery builds on.

  3. Midwife

    Ongoing

    You provide prenatal care, support labor and childbirth, and help with postpartum care, often working with physicians and other health professionals.

Where it can lead

  1. Nurse Midwife

    Varies; a master's degree is typically needed of experience first

    Nurse midwives are advanced practice nurses who hold a graduate degree and can take on a broader scope of care, including primary care for women.

  2. Obstetrician and Gynecologist

    Varies; a doctoral or professional degree is required of experience first

    Becoming a physician means completing medical school and residency training, which lets you handle complex and high-risk pregnancies and surgery.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and health classesStrong science grades prepare you for a nursing or health sciences major, which is the usual starting point.
  • Get certified in CPR and first aidMany schools and community groups offer these courses, and they show employers and programs that you can respond calmly in emergencies.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or birth centerVolunteering lets you see health care settings and talk with staff about their work, which helps you decide if midwifery is right for you.
  • Join a health occupations club or FHA/HOSA-type groupMany high schools have health career clubs that offer leadership roles and competitions, which build teamwork and communication skills.
  • Get a starter job that builds people skillsJobs like babysitting, caregiving for family members, or retail service teach patience and clear communication, both of which matter in midwifery.

In college

  • Major in nursing, health sciences, or biologyThese majors cover the science and patient care knowledge you need before a nursing license or graduate program.
  • Work as a certified nursing assistant or patient care techHands-on patient care experience during school builds skills and helps you qualify for nursing jobs after graduation.
  • Seek a clinical rotation or internship in women's healthExperience in labor and delivery, prenatal clinics, or postpartum units shows you what midwifery work involves.
  • Join a pre-health or nursing student organizationThese groups connect you with mentors, guest speakers, and networking opportunities in health care.
  • Learn about the state licensing and certification pathKnowing the requirements early helps you plan the right courses, clinical hours, and degree timing.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask to shadow a midwife, doula, or labor and delivery nurse to see the daily work and decide if it fits you.
  • Look up the specific credential and licensing rules in your state or region early, since they vary and can affect which degree you choose.
  • Get comfortable with science and communication now, because midwives need strong biology skills and must explain things calmly to patients who are often anxious.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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