Midwife: Salary and conditions

• Midwives working for the National Health Service (NHS) are paid according to a fixed payscale. For details, see NHS Careers .
• The minimum starting salary for newly qualified midwives in the NHS is £21,176 at Band 5.
• Midwives usually progress to Band 6, which starts at £25,258, after a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24. Subject to attainment within the NHS Career Framework  salaries can rise to £34,189.
• The range of typical salaries at senior level, e.g. those managing a team, research or teaching activities, or with specialist knowledge is £30,460 - £40,157 at Band 7.
• Roles and salary at consultancy level vary. The minimum salary at Band 8a is £38,851, although midwife consultants can occasionally receive as much as £67,134 at Band 8c.
• Working hours typically include unsocial hours. The working week is usually 37.5 hours and is likely to include day and night shifts. Community and independent midwives are regularly on call 24 hours and you should expect to be part of an on-call rota at some point in your career.
• Midwives can work in maternity units of large hospitals, smaller stand-alone maternity units, private maternity hospitals, group practices, birth centres, general practices and in the community.
• According to the the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) , the trend in home births had seen figures increase up until a decrease in 2009. In 2010 in England, 2.5% of births were home births. In Wales, it was 3.5%, 1.4% in Scotland and 0.4% in Northern Ireland.
• Self-employment or working freelance is sometimes possible and a number of midwives will work in independent practice, which may offer more opportunity for continuity of care. Many midwives prefer to work part time. Career breaks, assistance with accommodation and childcare facilities may be available.
• There is a very high percentage of women in the profession.
• Midwives are appointed to jobs in all areas of the UK, but specialist roles may be focused in particular areas.
• The work can be physically and mentally demanding, and involves exposure to sensitive situations such as bereavement and domestic abuse.
• You may have to travel to patients' homes or attend births at day or night, but overnight absences from home and overseas travel are unlikely.

Salary data from NHS Careers. Figures are intended as a guide only.