Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary
Labor and delivery nurses, also called obstetric nurses, form a crucial part of the healthcare team supporting pregnant women and their newborns. These nurses handle numerous duties, such as evaluating patients with pregnancy issues, tracking fetal wellbeing, assisting during childbirth, assessing infants, and providing postpartum care. In the U.S., registered nurses make an average yearly salary of $82,750 as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Data reveals that labor and delivery nurses earn an average of $90,541 annually, equating to roughly $44 an hour. This hourly rate places L&D nurses about 9% above the national average for registered nurses, although this average doesn't reflect differences due to job position, experience, and other factors. Nursing is among the most in-demand professions nationwide, with an expected growth of 6% from 2021 to 2031. Additionally, a workforce deficit in this field contributes to rising salaries and a promising career outlook for future L&D nurses. Wages for L&D nurses vary widely by state due to differing living costs. For example, an L&D nurse in California might earn more given the state's living costs are about 10% above the national average, while in Alabama, the lower living costs by 11% could mean lesser salaries. The states offering the highest pay to nurses, including L&D nurses, regardless of living cost considerations, are: California ($124,000), Hawaii ($106,530), Oregon ($98,630), Alaska ($97,230), and Massachusetts ($96,630). Adjusted for living expenses, the top states for nursing pay are: California ($124,000), Oregon ($98,630), Alaska ($97,230), Nevada ($97,230), and Hawaii ($106,530). Salaries for L&D nurses differ across states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, and many more, reflecting diverse economic conditions. Check out top labor and delivery job listings on Goodwork: Registered Nurse – OB Float in Lutz, FL | $49,900 to $80,000 per year; Registered Nurse – OB/GYN in Trenton, MI | $57,000 to $100,000 per year; Registered Nurse – Obstetric / Labor & Delivery in Denham Springs, LA | $56,000 to $88,000 per year; Registered Nurse – Obstetric / Labor & Delivery in Las Vegas, NV | $78,580 to $125,720 per year; Registered Nurse – Obstetric / Labor & Delivery in Slidell, LA | $56,000 to $88,000 per year. Sources \"Nursing Shortage.\" aacnnursing.org. \"Occupational Outlook Handbook-Registered Nurses.\" bls.gov.
