Midwives
Midwives provide prenatal care, deliver babies, and assist mothers during and after childbirth. They work in hospitals, birthing centers, clinics, and sometimes attend home births. Midwives perform physical exams, order tests, manage labor and delivery, and provide postpartum care and education to pregnant people and their families.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against midwives and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves scheduled prenatal appointments where midwives examine patients, review lab results, and discuss pregnancy concerns. Midwives are on-call for deliveries, which can occur at any hour and last several hours. During labor, they monitor the mother and baby, manage pain relief options, and deliver the infant. Between births, midwives document patient records, consult with physicians, and provide postpartum follow-up care to recent mothers and newborns.
Who this work suits
Holland code SRI. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You enjoy direct, hands-on work with people facing significant life events and tend to be practical problem-solvers. You're drawn to roles combining scientific knowledge with personal support, and you thrive in settings where you apply clinical skills while helping others through major physical and emotional transitions.
What it takes
Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,520 | $113,640 | $124,330 | 130 |
| New York | $67,210 | $102,990 | $138,490 | 1,110 |
| Kentucky | $64,780 | $91,560 | $106,920 | 190 |
| Missouri | $39,260 | $86,110 | $107,660 | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $69,130 | $81,580 | $104,000 | 470 |
| Indiana | $51,770 | $81,290 | $129,990 | 500 |
| Washington | $68,360 | $80,730 | $106,770 | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $53,210 | $80,240 | $121,140 | 310 |
| Minnesota | $55,500 | $79,990 | $109,240 | 410 |
| New Hampshire | $64,510 | $79,860 | $100,800 | 360 |
| Montana | $56,470 | $79,070 | $87,520 | 190 |
| Connecticut | $50,940 | $78,980 | $116,940 | 420 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) — North American Registry of Midwives
- Certified Midwife (CM) — American Midwifery Certification Board
- Birth Doula Certification — International Childbirth Education Association
- Birth Doula Certification — DONA International
- Certified Postpartum Doula — DONA International
- Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) — Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against midwives and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-9099.01 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.