Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary and Job Description
Written by:
Wilson College Online
• Sep 10, 2026
The number of live births recorded in the United States in 2024 was 3,628,934, according to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Additionally, maternal mortality went down slightly from 2023 to 2024.
Labor and delivery nurses perform a highly specialized role that differs from other nursing roles involving pregnancy and newborn care. They’re crucial members of labor and delivery units who assist with care throughout childbirth, monitoring for potential complications and alerting doctors and medical teams when interventions are needed.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) gives nurses looking to specialize further hands-on experience through coursework and additional training in complex cases that a labor and delivery nurse in an obstetrics department might have to handle. If you’re considering a nursing specialization, understanding the labor and delivery nurse salary, job description, and employment outlook can help you make that decision.
What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
A labor and delivery nurse works primarily in a hospital’s obstetrics department, though some work in birthing centers and others may be part of a care team for home births. They support patients from the end of pregnancy to the birth of the child. They handle patient admissions and see patients through to postpartum recovery. Most important, they track patient contractions, monitor vital signs, and identify possible irregularities that require physician intervention during the delivery process.
During birth, a labor and delivery nurse also administers medications as prescribed and monitors vital signs. They have to think quickly and respond to complex health issues in a high-pressure environment. They monitor fetal heartbeats for irregularities during labor. They also serve as the circulating nurse during a C-section birth.
The labor and delivery nurse explains the patient’s condition and needs to the physician and helps care for the patient after the baby is born. Their role is crucial for both the parent’s and the child’s health and safety.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
Like all registered nurses (RNs), labor and delivery nurses must meet degree and certification requirements to work in the field of nursing. They also need more specific skills and knowledge in the field of obstetrics.
Become a Registered Nurse
A labor and delivery nurse must first become an RN before specializing in labor and delivery. They can do this by enrolling in an accredited nursing program, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, to complete their education and earn a degree. After earning a degree, they can register with the state board of nursing and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Many hospitals prefer to hire labor and delivery nurses who have a BSN. RN to BSN programs can be completed while working full time, especially through online programs. Many programs allow for asynchronous coursework to support working nurses. BSN programs may also have prerequisite courses to complete, such as microbiology, anatomy, and physiology, as well as lab-based science courses.
Develop Key Skills
A labor and delivery nurse still needs a year of general experience before specializing.
The technical skill required for a labor and delivery nurse is high because they have to deal with high-need patients and respond to emergencies regularly. After earning a degree, aspiring labor and delivery nurses should seek out labor and delivery residencies or perinatal internships.
Key medical skills include:
- Responding quickly to changes in labor
- Addressing complex birthing issues, such as nuchal cord, shoulder dystocia (the baby’s shoulder lodges behind the pubic bone), the baby in breech position
- Taking vital signs and inserting IVs
- Assisting with C-sections
- Addressing postpartum hemorrhage
- Developing triage skills
At the same time, the labor and delivery nurse needs high emotional intelligence. They support patients through the labor experience, which can be very long and extremely stressful. A labor and delivery nurse needs to provide emotional support to the birthing parent and their family in the delivery room.
Soft skills include:
- Establishing rapport with the birthing parent and their family
- Soothing patients during complications
- Communicating clearly and promptly with primary physicians and members of the care team
How Much Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Make?
The median annual salary for RNs was $93,600 as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Labor and delivery nurses earned a median annual salary of around $75,500 as of May 2026, according to the compensation website Payscale. Salaries may vary based on several factors, such as location, employer, years of experience, and level of education.
For example, RNs who pursue an advanced education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), may pursue specialized roles such as nurse practitioners (NPs) or nurse midwives. According to the BLS, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and NPs earned a median annual salary of $132,050 as of May 2024.
Job Outlook
Hospitals are always looking for qualified nurses. Overall employment of RNs is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS. This is equivalent to about 189,100 openings for RNs each year over the decade.
In 2025, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reported increases in enrollment at schools of nursing, signaling continued interest in the profession among students. In 2024, enrollment in BSN programs increased by 4.9% from the previous year, the second year in a row of increased enrollment after a small dip in 2022. Also in 2024, enrollment in RN to BSN programs increased by 1.6% from 2023.
Learn More About Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse
Nursing is an important profession, and ushering new life into the world is one of the most important responsibilities a nurse can have. With a balance of emotional intelligence and scientific expertise, labor and delivery nurses provide extremely high-need care to birthing parents.
Wilson College Online’s RN to BSN program recognizes the need for well-trained nurses and works to help you achieve your career goals as a nurse. With the opportunity for hands-on research, access to mentorship from professionals in the field, and coursework that emphasizes holistic care, you’ll be able to pursue your degree with the support of specialists who can help you secure your next position. Although this is a program for nurses with an active RN license, it also offers Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to BSN, RN to MSN, and MSN programs.
Learn more about Wilson’s online nursing program and how you can start pursuing your specialization as a labor and delivery nurse.
Recommended Readings
9 Essential Soft Skills for Nursing
How to Balance Nursing School and Work
What to Expect From an RN to BSN Curriculum?
Sources:
American Association of Managed Care Nurses, Labor and Delivery Nurse Overview
Indeed, Labor and Delivery Nurse Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
National Center for Health Statistics, Births and Natality
National Center for Health Statistics, “Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2024”
Payscale, Average Labor and Delivery Nurse Hourly Pay
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
