How Much Do Midwives Make in Canada 2026: $85K–$130K (ON & BC Highest)
Updated
Midwifery in Canada has evolved from an unregulated practice to a fully funded, publicly insured health profession over the past three decades. Ontario was the first province to regulate and publicly fund midwifery in 1994, and most provinces have followed. The compensation model is unique — most midwives are not salaried employees but rather independent practitioners paid per course of care (the full prenatal, birth, and postpartum cycle for each client) through provincial health insurance. This means a midwife’s income is directly tied to their caseload. The profession is in chronic shortage across Canada, with demand for midwifery care far exceeding the supply of registered midwives.
Midwife Salary by Experience
Level
Annual Compensation
Typical Caseload
New registrant (0-2 years)
$72,000-$90,000
30-35 courses of care/year
Mid-career (2-5 years)
$88,000-$110,000
35-40 courses of care/year
Experienced (5-10 years)
$100,000-$125,000
40 courses of care/year
Senior/practice lead (10+ years)
$110,000-$140,000
40 courses + admin/mentorship
Educator/academic
$90,000-$130,000
University appointment
Clinical lead/program manager
$100,000-$140,000
Administrative/clinical mix
Salary by Province
Province
New Registrant
Experienced
Funding Model
Ontario
$80,000-$95,000
$110,000-$135,000
Course-of-care (AOM/MOH)
British Columbia
$78,000-$92,000
$105,000-$130,000
Course-of-care (MABC)
Alberta
$75,000-$88,000
$95,000-$120,000
AHS salary + fee-for-service
Quebec
$70,000-$85,000
$90,000-$115,000
Salaried (CISSS/CIUSSS)
Manitoba
$72,000-$85,000
$90,000-$110,000
Mixed model
Nova Scotia
$68,000-$82,000
$85,000-$105,000
Salaried
Saskatchewan
$70,000-$84,000
$88,000-$108,000
Salaried/contract
New Brunswick
$68,000-$80,000
$82,000-$100,000
Salaried
Newfoundland
$68,000-$80,000
$82,000-$100,000
Salaried
Ontario and BC have the highest midwifery compensation because their course-of-care funding models allow experienced midwives to earn based on caseload. Ontario’s compensation framework, negotiated by the Association of Ontario Midwives with the Ministry of Health, is the most developed. Quebec employs midwives as salaried employees within the public health system, which provides more predictable income but lower earning potential.
Course-of-Care Payment Model (Ontario)
Most midwives in Ontario and BC are paid per course of care — the complete prenatal, intrapartum (birth), and postpartum care cycle for each client. Understanding this model is essential to understanding midwifery income.
Component
Details
Course of care payment (2025-26)
~$3,800-$4,100 per client (Ontario)
Full caseload
40 courses of care per year
Gross revenue (full caseload)
$152,000-$164,000
Overhead (shared practice expenses)
20-30% (~$35,000-$50,000)
Net income (full caseload)
$105,000-$130,000
Part-time caseload (24-30 courses)
$60,000-$85,000 net
Practice Models
Practice Model
Compensation
Lifestyle
Group practice (3-6 midwives)
Course-of-care payments, shared call
Most common; shared on-call rotation
Hospital-based midwife
Salaried ($80,000-$115,000)
More predictable hours
Birth centre
Course-of-care or salaried
Collaborative, may have lighter call
Remote/fly-in communities
Salary + northern allowance ($90,000-$140,000)
Isolation, but high demand and premiums
Locum/travel midwife
Higher per-diem rates
Short-term contracts, flexibility
Academic/educator
University salary ($90,000-$130,000)
No on-call; teaching + research
On-Call and Workload Realities
Midwifery’s on-call obligations are a defining feature of the profession. Most midwives provide 24/7 on-call coverage for their clients, attending births whenever labour begins. This schedule is the primary reason for burnout and the reason many midwives reduce to part-time caseloads.
Factor
Typical Details
On-call schedule
5-15 days per month (shared rotation)
Average birth attendance (including travel)
6-12 hours per birth
Prenatal appointments
10-14 per client
Postpartum home visits
3-6 per client
Night/weekend births
~50% of births
Sleep disruption
Significant and ongoing
Vacation coverage
Arranged within practice group
Education Path
Step
Details
Duration
Bachelor of Midwifery (BHSc Midwifery)
McMaster, TMU, Laurentian, UBC, U of Manitoba, Mount Royal
4 years
Clinical placements
Integrated throughout program (~80 births minimum)
Part of degree
CMRE (Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam)
National competency exam
After graduation
Provincial registration
Register with provincial regulatory college
After CMRE
International bridging (IMPP)
For internationally educated midwives
12-18 months
Education Costs
Program
Approximate Cost
Bachelor of Midwifery (4 years)
$28,000-$48,000
CMRE exam fee
~$1,200
Provincial registration (annual)
$500-$1,500
Professional liability insurance
Covered by province (ON, BC) or $2,000-$6,000/year
International bridging program
$10,000-$20,000
Comparison to Related Health Professions
Profession
Mid-Career Salary
Education
Family physician
$250,000-$350,000 (gross billings)
MD + 2-year residency
Nurse practitioner
$95,000-$125,000
MN/MScN
Registered midwife
$88,000-$125,000
4-year BHSc Midwifery
Registered nurse (hospital)
$72,000-$100,000
4-year BScN
Physician assistant
$80,000-$110,000
2-year PA program
Doula (certified)
$25,000-$60,000
Certification course
Benefits
Benefit
Course-of-Care Practice
Salaried Position
Pension
Self-funded (RRSP)
Employer pension (HOOPP in ON hospitals)
Health insurance
Self-funded or group plan through practice
Employer-provided
Liability insurance
Province-funded (ON, BC)
Employer-provided
Parental leave
EI + limited/no top-up
EI + employer top-up
Vacation
Self-managed; arrange coverage
3-5 weeks
CME funding
Self-funded
Often employer-funded
Job Outlook
Midwifery is one of the fastest-growing health professions in Canada. Governments across the country are expanding midwifery services as a cost-effective way to improve maternal care and reduce pressure on obstetricians and hospitals. Ontario has the most midwives (~1,000 registered) and continues to expand funded positions. BC, Alberta, and Manitoba are actively growing their midwifery workforces. The profession is also expanding into Indigenous communities, where culturally appropriate birth care close to home is a reconciliation priority. Job prospects for new graduates are excellent — virtually every graduate finds employment, and most can choose their location.