A Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurse is a specialized registered nurse (RN) who focuses on caring for mothers and their babies during childbirth. Their responsibilities span the entire labor and delivery process, including antepartum (before delivery), intrapartum (during delivery), and postpartum (after delivery) care. L&D nurses assess the mother’s vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels and use tools like fetal monitors to track the baby’s heart rate and detect signs of distress.

The demand for labor & delivery nurses remains stable due to population grown, an aging workforce and an increase in childbirth rates in certain regions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031.

Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Labor & Delivery RN Jobs in the US

Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for a labor and delivery nurse is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to Nurse.org, the highest and lowest paying states for L&D RNs are as follows:

Top 5 Highest Paying States for L&D RNs:

1. New Jersey

2. Wisconsin

3. Washington

4. Massachusetts

5. Alaska

Top 5 Lowest Paying States for L&D RNs:

1. Florida

2. West Virginia

3. Georgia

4. Arkansas

5. Alabama

The state data varies between resources.

Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median


** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/maternity-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart

Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary

The median salary for a L&D nurse in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and employing institution. An entry-level salary for those starting their career is around $79,703 annually. Salaries increase with experience. RNs with 5-8 years of experience can earn around $83,970. The average and median salary of a L&D RN is around $81,800 per year. Those with advanced certifications can earn more.

A traveling L&D nurse will receive a higher hourly rate because of their temporary job status. The average salary for a travel L&D nurse is approximately $2,329 per week or $121,108 annually. Traveling hospice nurses can earn around $58.00 an hour, with some assignments offering bonuses or higher pay rates for more difficult-to-fill positions.

Average Labor & Delivery RN Salary by State (for non-traveling L&D)

StateAnnual SalaryWeekly SalaryHourly Wage
Alabama$67,320$1,294$32.37
Alaska$68,352$1,314$32.86
Arizona$76,771$1,476$36.91
Arkansas$65,668$1,262$31.57
California$107,479$2,066$51.67
Colorado$58,100$1,117$27.93
Connecticut$80,841$1,554$38.87
Delaware$93,218$1,792$44.82
Florida$67,300$1,294$32.36
Georgia$81,136$1,560$39.01
Hawaii$62,323$1,198$29.96
Idaho$69,635$1,339$33.48
Illinois$73,421$1,411$35.30
Indiana$60,524$1,163$29.10
Iowa$50,511$971$24.28
Kansas$65,522$1,260$31.50
Kentucky$74,503$1,432$35.82
Louisiana$75,942$1,460$36.51
Maine$60,298$1,159$28.99
Maryland$90,216$1,734$43.37
Massachusetts$97,983$1,760$47.11
Michigan$69,321$1,884$33.33
Minnesota$69,045$1,327$33.19
Mississippi$65,330$1,256$31.41
Missouri$61,138$1,175$29.39
Montana$55,175$1,061$26.53
Nebraska$58,012$1,115$27.89
Nevada$87,082$1,593$41.87
New Hampshire$71,082$1,674$34.17
New Jersey$89,833$1,727$43.19
New Mexico$66,384$1,276$31.92
New York$92,037$1,770$44.25
North Carolina$75,847$1,459$36.46
North Dakota$52,209$1,004$25.10
Ohio$85,797$1,650$41.25
Oklahoma$57,609$1,107$27.70
Oregon$80,227$1,542$38.57
Pennsylvania$94,933$1,825$45.64
Rhode Island$83,950$1,614$40.36
South Carolina$60,342$1,160$29.01
South Dakota$56,060$1,078$26.95
Tennessee$71,513$1,375$34.38
Texas$72,864$1,401$35.03
Utah$57,836$1,112$27.81
Vermont$68,513$1,317$32.94
Virginia$69,789$1,342$33.55
Washington$76,325$1,467$36.69
West Virginia$80,474$1,547$38.69
Wisconsin$74,730$1,437$35.93
Wyoming$66,258$1,274$31.85

**Data from Zippia

Average Labor & Delivery RN Job Salary by State (for traveling L&D)

StateAnnual SalaryWeekly SalaryHourly Wage
Alabama$87,395$1,680$42.02
Alaska$103,840$1,996$49.92
Arizona$89,854$1,727$43.20
Arkansas$79,731$1,533$38.33
California$95,159$1,829$45.75
Colorado$101,389$1,949$48.74
Connecticut$91,724$1,763$44.10
Delaware$96,504$1,855$46.40
Florida$72,055$1,385$34.64
Georgia$81,416$1,565$39.14
Hawaii$100,178$1,926$48.16
Idaho$90,722$1,744$43.62
Illinois$93,435$1,796$44.92
Indiana$91,751$1,764$44.11
Iowa$90,565$1,741$43.54
Kansas$85,993$1,653$41.34
Kentucky$83,745$1,610$40.26
Louisiana$82,452$1,585$39.64
Maine$93,355$1,795$44.88
Maryland$93,581$1,799$44.99
Massachusetts$105,304$2,025$50.63
Michigan$84,040$1,616$40.40
Minnesota$94,436$1,816$45.40
Mississippi$91,318$1,756$43.90
Missouri$90,444$1,739$43.48
Montana$88,500$1,701$42.55
Nebraska$91,933$1,767$44.20
Nevada$98,186$1,888$47.20
New Hampshire$93,771$1,803$45.08
New Jersey$97,890$1,882$47.06
New Mexico$93,439$1,796$44.92
New York$105,488$2,028$50.72
North Carolina$87,628$1,685$42.13
North Dakota$102,022$1,961$49.05
Ohio$91,667$1,762$44.07
Oklahoma$89,029$1,712$42.80
Oregon$101,945$1,960$49.01
Pennsylvania$96,653$1,858$46.47
Rhode Island$94,426$1,815$45.40
South Carolina$89,475$1,720$43.02
South Dakota$96,421$1,854$46.36
Tennessee$87,514$1,682$42.07
Texas$89,831$1,727$43.19
Utah$87,779$1,688$42.20
Vermont$102,520$1,971$49.29
Virginia$95,594$1,838$45.96
Washington$109,207$2,100$52.50
West Virginia$74,646$1,435$35.89
Wisconsin$97,323$1,871$46.79
Wyoming)$92,682  $1,782$44.56

Note: From ZipRecruiter

What is the average incentive bonus for a Labor & Delivery RN Job?

The average bonus for a L&D RN is between $2,000 and $5,000. Many L&D nurses can earn sign-on bonuses, bonuses for taking on more shifts or for filling staffing shortages. Sign-on bonuses can range from $1,500 to $25,000 depending on demand in the area, facility and the level of experience required. L&D nurses can receive extra shift incentive bonuses from $24 to $50 depending on region and hospital. In addition, some facilities offer bonuses for nurses who complete a set number of extra shifts within a specific timeframe.

Employed vs. self-employed Labor & Delivery RN Job

Salaries will vary between employed and self-employed L&D RNs. Employed RNs have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, education reimbursement, and paid time off. They usually work for a hospital system and have less financial risk and less flexibility in scheduling.

 A self-employed or travel L&D RN will work independently through a staffing agency. They often have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan. They may also have tax advantages if they properly manage expenses as a business entity.

How to do an effective Labor & Delivery RN job search

We make it is easy to find a L&D RN position with PRNHealthcare. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a RN” and select L&D as your specialty. Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.

Most common benefits for a Labor & Delivery RN

Being a L&D RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:

  • Job Security- L&D RNs continue to be in high demand because of a retiring work force.
  • Specialized Skill Development- L&D nurses have specialized experience in an essential area of healthcare. They can earn more and expand their skill set with additional certifications.
  • Work-Life Balance- L&D nurses have flexible scheduling. Nurses can choose between full-time, part-time, and per diem positions, and those who traveling have even more control over their schedules.
  • Emotional Fulfillment- L&D share important relationships with patients and their families. This makes the work highly rewarding, as nurses make a significant difference during an emotional time in a person’s life.
  • Financial Benefits- Besides compensation, L&D nurses are provided many types of insurance including health & life, retirement plans, bonuses, shift differentials, and PTO.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary of a labor & delivery RN in the U.S.?

Data suggests the average annual salary for a L&D RN in the United States is $81,800 with an hourly rate of $39.33. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and the type of employer. Entry-level nurses can earn around $65,000-$70,000 annually, while experienced nurses may earn upwards of $100,000.

Do labor & delivery nurses earn more than other RNs?

Yes, L&D nurses earn slightly more than the average RN due to their specialized skills and critical role in childbirth. The median annual salary for RNs across all specialties is approximately $77,600, compared to the $81,800 median for L&D nurses.

How much do travel Labor and Delivery nurses make?

Travel L&D nurses often earn higher wages due to the temporary and flexible nature of their assignments. On average, they make about $2,329 per week, equating to an annual salary of approximately $121,108. This varies depending on location, demand, and the travel agency.

What factors influence a labor and delivery nurse’s salary?

Several factors can impact an L&D nurse’s salary including experience, location, certifications, shift differentials and employer type.

Do Labor and Delivery nurses receive bonuses?

Yes, L&D nurses often receive bonuses. Common types of bonuses include: sign-on, shift incentives, and retention bonuses.