Rozina Aziz Learn about the average salary for labor and delivery nurses and explore the earning potential in this rewarding healthcare profession.
What is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
A labor and delivery nurse is a healthcare professional specializing in providing care to women during childbirth. They play a crucial role in assisting with the delivery process, ensuring the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby. Labor and delivery nurses have extensive knowledge of the various stages of labor, pain management techniques, and the ability to recognize potential complications.
They provide emotional support, monitor vital signs, administer medications, and assist with medical procedures as needed. These dedicated nurses work closely with the laboring mother, her family, and the rest of the healthcare team to ensure a positive and safe birthing experience.
What do Labor and Delivery Nurses do?
Labor and delivery nurses play a crucial role in the birthing process, providing care and support to both the mother and her newborn baby. They closely monitor the mother’s vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, throughout labor and delivery. They assist with pain management techniques, including administering medication or providing comfort measures like massage and breathing techniques.
Labor and delivery nurses also watch the progress of labor, assessing the frequency and strength of contractions and monitoring the baby’s heart rate. They provide emotional support and encouragement to the mother, helping her stay calm and informed during the birthing process. Once the baby is born, these nurses are responsible for ensuring a safe transition for both mother and baby, including monitoring the baby’s first breaths and facilitating skin-to-skin contact.
They also educate new parents on basic newborn care, such as breastfeeding and proper infant hygiene. Overall, labor and delivery nurses are essential healthcare professionals who assist in bringing new life into the world and ensuring a positive birthing experience for both mother and baby.
How much does a labor and delivery nurse make?
The average yearly income for a labor and delivery nurse is $68,720, and the average hourly wage is $32.09, as of June 2022 statistics from Payscale. In addition to location, industry, years of experience, education level, and responsibility, many other factors affect salary.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual income for registered nurses is $82,750, with an average hourly wage of $39.78. These values are lower than the national average for the nursing profession (R.N.s). Payscale stated in May 2022 that pediatric nurses earned an average of $61,450 annually. However, labor and delivery nurses earn more than this.
| State | Salary Range |
| Alabama | $63,000 – $89,000 |
| Alaska | $77,000 – $108,000 |
| Arizona | $68,000 – $95,000 |
| Arkansas | $61,000 – $85,000 |
| California | $95,000 – $132,000 |
| Colorado | $70,000 – $98,000 |
| Connecticut | $80,000 – $112,000 |
| Delaware | $74,000 – $104,000 |
| Florida | $64,000 – $90,000 |
| Georgia | $66,000 – $93,000 |
| Hawaii | $77,000 – $108,000 |
| Idaho | $60,000 – $84,000 |
| Illinois | $69,000 – $97,000 |
| Indiana | $62,000 – $87,000 |
| Iowa | $63,000 – $89,000 |
| Kansas | $63,000 – $88,000 |
| Kentucky | $60,000 – $84,000 |
| Louisiana | $62,000 – $88,000 |
| Maine | $63,000 – $89,000 |
| Maryland | $75,000 – $105,000 |
| Massachusetts | $82,000 – $115,000 |
| Michigan | $66,000 – $93,000 |
| Minnesota | $70,000 – $98,000 |
| Mississippi | $61,000 – $86,000 |
| Missouri | $64,000 – $90,000 |
| Montana | $61,000 – $85,000 |
| Nebraska | $62,000 – $87,000 |
| Nevada | $74,000 – $104,000 |
| New Hampshire | $68,000 – $96,000 |
| New Jersey | $83,000 – $116,000 |
| New Mexico | $64,000 – $90,000 |
| New York | $85,000 – $119,000 |
| North Carolina | $66,000 – $93,000 |
| North Dakota | $63,000 – $89,000 |
| Ohio | $65,000 – $92,000 |
| Oklahoma | $61,000 – $86,000 |
| Oregon | $73,000 – $102,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,000 – $95,000 |
| Rhode Island | $76,000 – $106,000 |
| South Carolina | $63,000 – $88,000 |
| South Dakota | $61,000 – $85,000 |
| Tennessee | $62,000 – $87,000 |
| Texas | $67,000 – $94,000 |
| Utah | $63,000 – $89,000 |
| Vermont | $67,000 – $94,000 |
| Virginia | $70,000 – $98,000 |
| Washington | $78,000 – $109,000 |
| West Virginia | $60,000 – $84,000 |
| Wisconsin | $65,000 – $92,000 |
| Wyoming | $65,000 – $91,000 |
What will be the salary of a labor and delivery nurse in 2023?
In 2023, labor and delivery nurses start off making an estimated $44,840 per year, or about $21.56 per hour. Weekly salaries are roughly $897, and monthly salaries are around $3,740. New grads in the labor and delivery nurse field often receive a wage 33% lower than the national median.
How much does a Labor and Delivery Nurse make per year?
Experienced nurses in labor and delivery are highly sought after. Between the first and fourth years of their careers, labor and delivery nurses can anticipate a 15 percent increase in compensation. Five to nine years of experience as an L&D RN can lead to a 22% increase in salary compared to an R.N. with only one to four years of experience can anticipate making.
A labor and delivery registered nurse with 20 years of experience can expect to earn 24 percent more than an L&D nurse with 10 to 19 years of experience, and they will make more than twice as much as an entry-level L&D nurse.
Where did this pay gap come from?
Since only some nurses acquire the particular knowledge and experience in L&D throughout their undergraduate nursing nurse, due to the limited time allotted to labor and delivery in nursing programs, many labor and delivery nurses have learned their practical skills either on the job or through additional clinical training and continuing education.
Labor & Delivery nurses and their nurses can handle a full patient load during orientation to the unit. When a nurse and her preceptor are assigned to the same patient, the unit loses an effective staff member.
As a result, the unit’s operating expenses will increase. Entry-level labor and delivery nurses are paid less than their more experienced colleagues because the hospital aims to recoup some extra operational costs by reducing compensation.
FAQ’s
Can any factors affect a labor and delivery nurse’s salary?
Yes, factors such as years of experience, location, and level of education can impact a labor and delivery nurse’s salary.
Can labor and delivery nurses earn bonuses or incentives?
Some labor and delivery nurses may have the opportunity to earn bonuses or incentives based on performance or additional certifications.
How much do labor and delivery nurses make an hour in California?
In California, the hourly pay for a Labor and Delivery Nurse is typical $54.44 – 32% higher than the overall US average of $37.24. Estimate based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is labor and delivery nursing challenging?
As a labor and delivery nurse, you must remember that your job will be extremely physically demanding. Each day you will be required to push, pull and lift your patients. It is also necessary for you to move quickly to meet the increasing needs of your patient.
