How much is the registered nurse vs certified nurse midwife pay gap in California?

The reported gap in California is about $63,570 a year, or roughly 45% 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?

They're the median wages actually reported for California — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.

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

Registered Nurse vs Certified Nurse Midwife salary in California

In California, certified nurse midwifes earn more — an estimated $203,840 a year versus $140,270 for registered nurses, a gap of about $63,570 (roughly 45% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California.

Registered Nurse — California

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$140,270

+44% vs national

Hourly

$67.44/hr

Median $140,270

$101,260Middle 50%: $122,440–$173,170$213,320

Typical range: $122,440–$173,170; What most nurses earn
High end: $213,320; Top earners
Entry level: $101,260; Newer nurses

Certified Nurse Midwife — California

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$203,840

+52% vs national

Hourly

$98.00/hr

Median $203,840

$140,970Middle 50%: $176,080–$216,560$227,590

Typical range: $176,080–$216,560; What most nurses earn
High end: $227,590; Top earners
Entry level: $140,970; Newer nurses

Why the gap in California

Certified Nurse Midwives earn well above staff registered nurses, reflecting a graduate degree, prescriptive authority, and a specialized scope in pregnancy, birth, and women's health. Both build on the RN license, but the midwife is an advanced-practice provider. 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 Registered Nurse vs Certified Nurse Midwife comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Certified Nurse Midwife in California — FAQ

Do registered nurses or certified nurse midwifes earn more in California?: In California, certified nurse midwifes earn more — $203,840 a year versus $140,270 for registered nurses, a gap of about $63,570 (roughly 45% more). Both are median wages reported for California in official public wage data.
How much is the registered nurse vs certified nurse midwife pay gap in California?: The reported gap in California is about $63,570 a year, or roughly 45% 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?: They're the median wages actually reported for California — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.
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— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)

California figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for California (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for California. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.