How to Increase Your Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary in 2025

What factors influence the labor and delivery nurse salary, and how can professionals in this field maximize their earning potential?

Labor and delivery nursing is a demanding yet deeply fulfilling field, offering unique challenges and rewards. As we head into 2025, nurses in this specialty seek ways to increase their earnings while maintaining a work-life balance. Fortunately, boosting your salary doesn’t require a career change or relocation. You can achieve a higher wage by leveraging your experience, negotiating effectively, and strategically enhancing your qualifications without drastically altering your job responsibilities.

This guide will explain actionable strategies for labor and delivery nurses to increase their salaries in 2024.

Step 1: Understand the Factors That Influence Your Salary

Several key factors determine the salary of a labor and delivery nurse. Understanding these variables will help you identify areas for potential improvement.

Key Factors Impacting Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary

• Location: Geographic location significantly impacts salary. Nurses in urban areas or regions with higher living costs typically earn more than those in rural areas.
• Experience: As in most nursing specialties, knowledge is critical to salary growth. Nurses with more years of practice tend to earn higher salaries.
• Education and Certifications: Advanced certifications such as Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) can increase your earning potential.
• Facility Type: Hospital nurses, especially in high-risk maternity units, may earn more than smaller clinics or birthing centers.

By evaluating your current situation, you can start identifying areas where you have room for salary growth.

As we head into 2025, understanding labor and delivery nurse salary statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is crucial for maximizing earnings.

Step 2: Explore High-Paying Locations

Location can significantly impact your salary as a labor and delivery nurse. Some states or cities offer higher pay rates due to demand, cost of living, or shortages of qualified nurses.

Top-Paying Locations for Labor and Delivery Nurses in 2024

• California: Known for offering some of the highest nursing salaries in the U.S., especially in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
• New York: New York City offers labor and delivery nurses competitive salaries, with the added benefit of working in high-volume hospitals.
• Texas: With a growing population and high demand for healthcare services, cities like Houston and Dallas offer strong salary prospects for nurses.

If relocating is an option, moving to a state or city with higher pay rates can provide a significant salary increase. However, if relocation is not feasible, there are still other strategies to boost your salary.

Professionals can explore healthcare salary variations across the U.S. and consider locum tenens roles for flexible, high-earning opportunities to maximize income potential.

Step 3: Invest in Continuing Education and Certifications

Advancing your education and earning additional certifications are effective ways to increase your labor and delivery nurse salary. Many employers offer higher pay to nurses with specialized knowledge and advanced credentials.

Key Certifications to Boost Your Salary

• Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB): This certification demonstrates advanced knowledge in obstetric care and can lead to higher-paying positions.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): NRP certification is required in many labor and delivery units and can be an excellent way to increase your value as a nurse.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): While ACLS is often required in emergency settings, having this certification can increase your pay, especially in high-risk labor and delivery units.

Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or financial assistance for continuing education, so explore these options.

Consider pursuing Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) certification to enhance your qualifications and potentially increase your salary.

Step 4: Hone Your Salary Negotiation Skills

Negotiating your salary is one of the most direct ways to increase your earnings. Many nurses miss opportunities to negotiate for better pay because they don’t know how to reach the conversation.

Salary Negotiation Tips for Labor and Delivery Nurses

• Do Your Research: Before negotiating, research salary data for labor and delivery nurses in your region using tools like Glassdoor or Payscale. This will help you understand what your peers are earning and give you leverage in the discussion.
• Highlight Your Value: Emphasize your experience, certifications, and any unique skills you bring. Employers are more likely to offer higher pay if you demonstrate you’re a team member.
• Be Open to Benefits: If your employer cannot meet your salary request, consider negotiating for other benefits such as increased vacation time, flexible hours, or tuition reimbursement.

You can often secure a higher salary without changing jobs by approaching negotiations with confidence and preparation.

For more effective strategies, check out these salary negotiation tips for nurses and learn how to boost your medical salary with CME to help you secure a better pay rate.

Step 5: Consider Specializing in High-Demand Areas

Specializing in labor and delivery nursing can lead to higher pay. Some subspecialties are in higher demand and offer more lucrative positions.

High-Demand Specializations in Labor and Delivery Nursing

• High-Risk Labor and Delivery: Nurses working in high-risk labor and delivery units, where patients may have more complex medical needs, tend to earn higher salaries.
• Nurse Midwifery: Certification as a nurse midwife (CNM) enables you to assume greater responsibilities and increase your earnings compared to a typical labor and delivery nurse.
• Perinatal Nursing: This specialization focuses on caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. Nurses with experience in this area are often highly sought after and well-compensated.

Focusing on a high-demand specialization can increase your earning potential while you continue to work in labor and delivery.

Step 6: Take Advantage of Shift Differentials and Overtime

Many hospitals offer shift differentials for nurses who work nights, weekends, or holidays. These shifts often pay significantly more than regular daytime hours. Additionally, taking on overtime can lead to substantial income boosts.

Strategies for Earning More Through Shift Work

• Night Shifts: Nurses working overnight often receive higher pay due to the less desirable hours.
• Holiday Shifts: Many hospitals pay double time or more for nurses working on major holidays.
• Weekend Shifts: Similar to night shifts, weekend shifts usually come with a pay increase.

You can increase your earnings by strategically scheduling shifts without working more hours.

Step 7: Explore Opportunities in Telehealth or Teaching

Telehealth is becoming an increasingly viable option for nurses looking to boost their income. Many hospitals and healthcare organizations are growing their telehealth services, and labor and delivery nurses can offer consultation services remotely. Additionally, teaching nursing students or mentoring new nurses can provide extra income.

Additional Income Streams for Labor and Delivery Nurses

• Telehealth Nursing: Remote consultations allow you to expand your work options and increase your income, especially if you’re responsible.
• Nursing Education: Teaching or offering training programs for nursing students can provide additional earnings while allowing you to share your expertise with the next generation of nurses.

These side opportunities can help you increase your salary without requiring a full-time commitment.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Salary Growth in 2025

As a labor and delivery nurse, numerous strategies exist to increase your salary in 2025. You can significantly boost your income by initiating a higher pay rate, earning advanced certifications, or taking on high-demand roles. While the healthcare industry continues to evolve, you can position yourself for financial growth by staying informed and proactive about your career development.

Explore the strategies that best suit your personal goals and then take the necessary steps to achieve your desired salary.