Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary Guide

Labor and Delivery nurses, also called L&D nurses, work closely with obstetricians and gynecologists primarily in a hospital setting. Hospitals usually have a separate area specifically for labor and delivery. They may also work in birthing centers and private physician practices. Salaries for labor and delivery RNs are some of the highest among nursing specialties but they can vary based on several factors.

Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses who specialize in helping female patients during the childbirth process. They provide direct patient care and monitor the mother and baby’s health and well-being throughout labor and delivery, then provide postpartum care immediately following birth. L&D nurses may work with and monitor the progress of several patients each day, but they only work with one patient in active labor at a time.

Before entering a specialized field like labor and delivery, you must first become a registered nurse. This requires graduating from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). While it’s possible to enter the nursing field with an associate degree, it’s recommended you acquire a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to increase your desirability as a labor and delivery candidate and your salary base. All nursing school graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and earn Basic Life Support certification.

Length of experience impacts a labor and delivery nurse’s base salary. Entry-level L&D nurses should expect to earn less than a mid-career nurse with five to 10 years of experience. Likewise, a mid-career nurse earns less than seasoned L&D nurses with 20-plus years in the field.

Base salary often varies by education level. Bachelor-level nurses typically earn slightly more than those with an associate degree and L&D nurses with higher education have a higher salary than those with a bachelor’s degree. Associate degrees usually take two years to complete while bachelor’s degrees take four. More facilities are looking at requiring BSNs for specialty roles like labor and delivery, so the base salary may reflect this desire.

Completion of key certifications, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications, can increase base salary. Acquiring additional skills, such as basic IV and medication administration skills, and completing professional programs, such as the Fetal Heart Monitoring certification program or Neonatal Resuscitation Program, can also increase an L&D nurse’s base salary.

Clinical setting typically impacts base salaries, but job location almost always has an effect. For example, labor and delivery nurses earn significantly more in California compared to Oklahoma. Due to cost of living, base salary is not only impacted by the state but also the city where a job is located. Metropolitan areas generally pay more, sometimes much more, than rural regions.

Increasing your labor and delivery RN salary comes naturally as you gain more experience. However, you can advance your career and expand your earnings at an accelerated pace through additional education and certifications.

Furthering your education can open doors to advanced practice nursing roles in labor and delivery and higher salaries. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing takes two to three years and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program takes four to six years. A master’s degree can prepare you to become a nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology (OGNP) and either degree may lead to a career as a certified nurse-midwife. Both career paths come with significant salary increases.

There’s often a substantial difference in salary between a non-certified and certified L&D nurse. Increase your labor and delivery RN salary by earning the NCC credential in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) after you’ve completed at least two years and 2,000 hours of experience in labor and delivery nursing practice.

Increasing your labor and delivery nursing salary can be as easy as switching locations as some states pay much more than others. However, don’t forget to factor in the cost of living for the region to determine whether the salary realistically provides a livable wage. Areas with a high cost of living may quickly eat up these larger salaries and make locations with smaller salaries and lower cost of living expenses more attractive in the long run.

Earning your Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM), AWHONN Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM), Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (CPLC) or Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work, and Emotional support (STABLE) often increases your salary potential as a labor and delivery nurse or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.

Yes, having a Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a labor and delivery nurse.

Yes, having a AWHONN Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a labor and delivery nurse.

Yes, having a Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work, and Emotional support (STABLE) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a labor and delivery nurse.

Take a look at Vivian's Labor and Delivery Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.