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Salary comparison

Nurse Midwives vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Nurse Midwives out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $70K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nurse Midwives land at $134,040 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: nurse midwife programs typically require master's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Nurse Midwives is California ($203,840); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Nurse Midwives
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$134,040
$64,400
Hourly rate
$64.44/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$93,620
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$188,320
$83,440
Education required
Master's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
7,920
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
11.1%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Nurse Midwives median pay.

State
Nurse Midwives
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
California
$203,840
$79,750
Massachusetts
$159,800
$80,220
Washington
$158,970
$83,150
New Jersey
$153,970
$75,160
Oregon
$146,900
$80,470
New Hampshire
$142,960
$77,110
Arizona
$140,960
$77,070
Maryland
$140,120
$74,660
Colorado
$137,610
$73,880
Rhode Island
$135,180
$80,090
Alaska
$133,430
$80,800
Maine
$133,270
$73,200
Connecticut
$130,790
$73,690
Illinois
$120,840
$75,000
District of Columbia
$101,450
$75,740

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Nurse Midwives or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nurse Midwives earn more nationally. The median is $134,040 for Nurse Midwives versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $70K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Nurse Midwives or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nurse Midwives has the better 10-year outlook at 11.1% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Nurse Midwives or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nurse Midwives typically requires master's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Nurse Midwives get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Nurse Midwives at $203,840/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Nurse Midwives vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Nurse Midwives earn $203,840 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Nurse Midwives salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Nurse Midwives by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a nurse midwivesGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →