Image that illustrates Midwife

Midwife

48 300 kr

Midwives

48 100 - 67 100 kr / month

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Midwife

Average salary 48 300 kr
Males 0 kr
Females 48 300 kr

What does an obstetric nurse do? – Tasks and work environment

An obstetric nurse plays a central role during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Tasks include supporting, monitoring, and guiding expectant parents through the entire childbirth process, as well as being responsible for both medical and caregiving interventions. The work environment often includes delivery wards at hospitals, but also maternity clinics and sometimes home births. The job involves shift work, high alertness, and an intensive pace, where quick decisions and close collaboration with doctors and other healthcare staff are essential.

Salary development over time

The salary for obstetric nurses has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,600 SEK, followed by 47 200 SEK in 2023, and further increased to 48 300 SEK in 2024. The total increase during this period is approximately 5.9%, indicating a clear trend towards higher compensation within the profession. A contributing factor to this development is the growing need for qualified personnel in childbirth care, alongside increased education requirements and responsibilities. A shortage of obstetric nurses in certain regions has also contributed to rising salaries, especially for the most experienced and specialized practitioners.

Obstetric nurses often encounter people during one of the most transformative moments in life and therefore need both medical skill and strong emotional presence. Communication and trust play a crucial role in providing safety and quality care.

– statsskuld.se

Obstetric nurse salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 48,100 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 67,100 SEK/month (female, private sector)
  • Hourly rate: 290 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 48 300 SEK, data for men is limited
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

To work as an obstetric nurse, licensure as a midwife is required, which involves a combination of a registered nurse degree and additional training in midwifery. The educational pathway is both theoretical and practical, demanding high medical competence, caregiving skills, and the ability to handle emergency situations. Internships in childbirth and maternity care are mandatory during training.

  • Registered nurse degree: 3 years at college/university
  • Midwifery training: 1.5 years postgraduate training (master's level)
  • Licensure: The National Board of Health and Welfare requires licensure as a midwife
  • Practical training: Clinical internships in delivery wards included
  • Prerequisites: Registered nurse licensure required for admission

Common benefits and compensations

Obstetric nurses may receive extra compensation for unsocial hours, on-call allowances, and sometimes performance-based bonuses. Common benefits include wellness allowances, professional development, extra vacation days, and opportunities for further training at the employer’s expense.

Competition and challenges

The profession as an obstetric nurse is in demand but also challenging, with a limited number of training places and high competition for permanent positions in attractive regions. Workload can be high, especially in metropolitan areas where pressure on childbirth services is greater. At the same time, there is a shortage of obstetric nurses in some parts of the country, creating good employment opportunities but also requiring flexibility and readiness to work in different locations or through staffing agencies. The profession requires continuous education, stress management, and the ability to work in teams under pressure.

Tips for aspiring obstetric nurses

To succeed as an obstetric nurse, it is beneficial to combine empathy with a structured work approach and a strong interest in medicine. Good communication skills are vital for creating trust with expectant parents, while decisiveness and stress resilience are important in emergency situations. It’s advantageous to seek internships in childbirth care during your nursing studies to gain experience and build networks. Being flexible and adaptable makes it easier when working hours vary. Finally, curiosity and openness to new knowledge are essential, as the profession constantly evolves through new methods and research.

Key facts about obstetric nurses

  • Educational level: Registered nurse degree + midwifery training (4.5 years)
  • Work environment: Hospitals, delivery wards, and maternity clinics
  • Typical work pattern: Shift work with on-call and readiness duties
  • Demand: 375 available jobs within the profession
  • Special skills: Emergency care and psychosocial support

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, an obstetric nurse can advance to specialist roles such as section leader, educator, or clinic manager. There are also opportunities to work in research, teaching, or as a consultant for staffing agencies. According to the Swedish Employment Service forecasts, there is no precise assessment for individual midwives due to limited data, but the overall demand within the profession is expected to remain stable. The number of available positions indicates a healthy job market, although competition for permanent roles in larger cities may be higher than in smaller towns.

Common questions about obstetric nurses

  • What does an obstetric nurse earn?
    - The average salary is 48 300 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and employment type.
  • How do you become an obstetric nurse?
    - First, a registered nurse degree (3 years), then further training to become an obstetric nurse (1.5 years) and licensure.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Women earn an average of 48 300 SEK. Data for men is limited, but the highest known salary for men is 48,200 SEK.
  • What is the job market like for obstetric nurses?
    - The job market is generally good with 375 available positions, but regional differences exist.
  • What are the working hours for an obstetric nurse?
    - Shift work, nights, weekends, and on-call duties are common within the profession.
  • What level of education is required?
    - A registered nurse degree plus further training to become an obstetric nurse, totaling approximately 4.5 years.
  • What common benefits are offered?
    - Compensation for unsociable hours, wellness allowances, and opportunities for further training are common.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Midwife is 67100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed workers with a data missing. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 48200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Midwife is 48100 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Privately employed workers.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 40100 kr 43700 kr
35-44 42700 kr 45500 kr
45-54 46700 kr 49100 kr
55-64 49900 kr 52800 kr
65-68 52800 kr 56200 kr
Snitt 45400 kr 48300 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Midwife has the SSYK code 2222, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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