Midwifery: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Midwifery is a specialized field dedicated to supporting women through the entire childbearing journey, from preconception to postpartum recovery. This program equips professionals with the clinical expertise and compassionate care skills necessary to deliver safe, evidence-based, and holistic maternity services, particularly in settings where direct-entry midwifery is legally recognized.
Key modules and areas of study include:
- Basic obstetrics: Foundational knowledge of the physiological processes of pregnancy, labor, and delivery, including normal and variant patterns.
- Women’s health: Comprehensive understanding of reproductive anatomy, gynecological wellness, and preventive care across the lifespan.
- Fetal development: In-depth exploration of embryology and fetal growth stages, with emphasis on monitoring and assessment.
- Childbirth education: Strategies for empowering expectant parents with knowledge about labor, delivery, and newborn care.
- Maternal nutrition and health: Guidance on dietary needs, metabolic changes, and lifestyle factors influencing pregnancy outcomes.
- Labor support: Techniques for physical, emotional, and psychological assistance during labor, emphasizing non-pharmacological pain management.
- Natural childbirth: Principles and practices for facilitating low-intervention births aligned with physiological birth processes.
- Postpartum support: Care strategies for the immediate and extended recovery period, including mental health, lactation, and newborn transition.
- Prebirth counseling and risk screening: Methods for assessing medical and social risk factors to inform care planning and decision-making.
- Management of obstetric emergencies: Training in recognizing and responding to complications such as hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, and fetal distress.
- Patient referral: Protocols for timely coordination with medical specialists when complications arise beyond midwifery scope.
- Applicable regulations: Knowledge of state and national laws governing midwifery practice, licensure, and scope of care.
- Professional standards and ethics: Commitment to ethical decision-making, informed consent, confidentiality, and continuous quality improvement.
Midwifery Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Midwifery Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Midwifery degrees, including Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 30,870 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other 29-1299 | $113,730 | $65,210 - $194,000 | 30,870 | $54.68 |
Midwifery Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $66,950 in South Carolina to $160,560 in Maryland—a 140% difference. The highest-paying states include Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 30,870 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Midwifery by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Midwifery programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Midwifery is found at Midwives College of Utah (MCU) (41 graduates), Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) (18 graduates), Florida School of Traditional Midwifery (FSTM) (11 graduates), and Bastyr University (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 74 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwives College of Utah (MCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
41 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | midwifery.edu |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) |
Associate's
|
18 | Fennimore, Wisconsin | Public | swtc.edu |
| Florida School of Traditional Midwifery (FSTM) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
11 | Gainesville, Florida | Private | midwiferyschool.org |
| Bastyr University |
Master's
|
4 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Midwifery programs
How much can I earn with a Midwifery degree?
Salaries for Midwifery graduates vary by role and location. Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other earn a median of $113,730 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maryland average $160,560 compared to $66,950 in South Carolina. Approximately 30,870 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Midwifery programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Midwifery degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Midwives College of Utah (MCU) (41 graduates), Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) (18 graduates), and Florida School of Traditional Midwifery (FSTM) (11 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Midwifery growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 20 in 2010 to 74 in 2023-24. This represents a 270% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Midwifery degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 30,870 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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