Careers in birth work
How to become a doula, what midwives, doulas and lactation consultants earn, and how Medicaid pays for their work.
4 guides · 53 sources cited · By The Mom Site editorial team
Short answer
Pay in birth work depends on credentials and on who pays: nurse-midwives earn salaries tracked by the federal government, while most doulas and lactation consultants set their own fees and, in a growing number of states, bill Medicaid.
4 careers in birth work guides
How to become a doula: certification costs and Medicaid by stateDoula certification takes a 16 to 24 hour workshop and a few births, and costs $0 to about $1,300. Plus how to get an NPI and enroll with Medicaid, by state.14 sources · 9 min readMidwife salary by state (2026): what nurse midwives earnNurse midwives earned a median $134,040 in May 2025, per BLS. See pay in every state and top metros, what CPMs earn, and how to train for each credential.12 sources · 8 min readHow much do doulas make? Doula salary and income in 2026There's no government salary data for doulas. See what they earn per client from private fees and Medicaid in each state, with worked yearly income examples.10 sources · 7 min readLactation consultant salary: what IBCLCs earn and how they get paidBLS doesn't track lactation consultants. See RN pay for nurse IBCLCs, Medicaid rates where IBCLCs bill directly, private visit fees and IBCLC exam costs.17 sources · 6 min readFind care, then check what's covered
More guides
CostsWhat doulas, midwives, birth centers, lactation help, childcare and having a baby actually cost, and how to pay less.18 guides
Insurance and coverageWhat private insurance and Medicaid pay for during pregnancy and after birth, from doulas to breast pumps.13 guides
Choosing your careDoula, midwife, OB, birth center or hospital: who does what, and how to pick the right people for your birth.6 guides
Postpartum and feedingGetting real help after the baby arrives: postpartum doulas, lactation support and mental health care.7 guidesMaternity leave and workHow long maternity leave lasts, who pays for it, and your rights at work while pregnant and pumping.4 guides