National salary guide
Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary 2026
National pay overview, hourly and annual comparison, top paying states, top cities, and ways to improve compensation for labor and delivery nurse roles.
National baseline
$82,000
$39.42/hr, $1,577/wk, $6,833/mo
National salary overview
Hourly
$39.42
Weekly
$1,577
Monthly
$6,833
Annual
$82,000
Labor and delivery nurses support patients throughout the childbirth process, from early labor through postpartum recovery in hospital birthing units. They monitor fetal heart rates, assist with pain management, and provide critical care during high-risk deliveries and obstetric emergencies.
Top paying states
| State | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $58.74 | $122,180 |
| California | $54.40 | $113,160 |
| New York | $53.22 | $110,700 |
| Massachusetts | $52.04 | $108,240 |
| New Jersey | $51.25 | $106,600 |
| Alaska | $50.46 | $104,960 |
| Connecticut | $50.07 | $104,140 |
| Maryland | $48.10 | $100,040 |
| New Hampshire | $46.52 | $96,760 |
| Rhode Island | $46.52 | $96,760 |
Top paying cities
New York City, NY
$74.51/hr | $154,980/yr
San Francisco, CA
$73.45/hr | $152,766/yr
San Jose, CA
$68.00/hr | $141,450/yr
Cambridge, MA
$66.61/hr | $138,547/yr
Honolulu, HI
$65.79/hr | $136,842/yr
Los Angeles, CA
$64.20/hr | $133,529/yr
Yonkers, NY
$63.87/hr | $132,840/yr
Boston, MA
$63.49/hr | $132,053/yr
San Diego, CA
$62.56/hr | $130,134/yr
Kailua, HI
$62.26/hr | $129,511/yr
Pearl City, HI
$61.09/hr | $127,067/yr
Jersey City, NJ
$60.48/hr | $125,788/yr
Hourly vs annual pay
The annual estimate assumes a full-time schedule of 2,080 hours. If you are comparing hourly offers, convert shift differential and overtime separately because those can change take-home pay more than the base rate suggests.
How to increase pay
- Target higher-paying states and cities before negotiating a base rate.
- Ask for written details on shift differential, weekend premium, and overtime rules.
- Use specialty certifications and high-acuity experience as negotiation evidence.
- Compare health benefits, PTO, retirement match, tuition support, and sign-on terms.
Related specialties
FAQ
How much does a Labor and Delivery Nurse make in 2026?
The national baseline used by TrueNursePay is $82,000 per year, or about $39.42 per hour, before taxes and local adjustments.
Which states pay labor and delivery nurse roles the most?
In this model, Hawaii, California, New York currently show the highest statewide estimates after cost-of-living adjustment.
How can nurses increase pay in this specialty?
Higher pay often comes from high-acuity experience, specialty certifications, shift differentials, weekend premiums, overtime rules, travel contracts, and moving into stronger local labor markets.
Are these figures guaranteed salary offers?
No. The estimates were last updated on April 29, 2026 and are intended for comparison and planning. Actual offers vary by employer, experience, shift, certifications, and contract type.
Methodology
Last updated April 29, 2026. TrueNursePay uses a national specialty salary baseline, then state and city pages apply cost-of-living, local market, and tax assumptions. The numbers are estimates for career planning and offer comparison.