Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary Guide

A labor and delivery nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works with expectant mothers. When a pregnant patient goes into labor, the L&D nurse monitors their vital signs, performs ultrasounds, provides support during childbirth and assists the obstetrician with the delivery. Once the baby is born, the L&D nurse observes the new mother for concerning physical and mental changes associated with childbirth and responds accordingly. For example, a mother having trouble with breastfeeding may need the L&D nurse to schedule a lactation consultation.

How do you become a labor and delivery nurse?

If you're interested in L&D nursing, the first step is to become an RN. Although it's possible to become an RN by completing a nursing diploma program, many employers require an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing. Even if you get hired with a diploma, your employer or state licensing body may require you to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within a set number of years of your hire date.

You must also pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing exam, called the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN exam, and obtain an RN license from your state board of nursing. In most states, you must renew your license every 2 years, but some states have renewal periods as short as 1 year and as long as 5 years.

What credentials/licensing does a labor and delivery nurse require?

In addition to an RN license, you must earn Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications through the American Heart Association. Once employed as an L&D nurse, you might consider earning the Registered Nurse Certified - Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) credential offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) to help boost your career advancement and salary.

The RNC-OB is an optional certification available to RNs with at least 24 months of L&D nursing experience. The RNC-OB exam has 175 questions covering fetal assessment, pregnancy complications, labor and birth, postpartum care and newborn care. NCC also offers Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring, which can also benefit L&D RNs.

Average Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary

$2,371/week

The average salary for a Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse is $2,371 per week. This is 9% higher than the nursing US average of $2,162.

Last updated on November 9, 2024. Based on 18,950 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.

Salaries for Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse compared to Registered Nurse National Averages

$2,371/week

9% higher than the nursing US average.

$2,162/week

United States

Where do Travel Labor and Delivery Nurses get paid the most?
StateAverage Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
California$2,753$4,746
North Dakota$2,751$3,823
Alaska$2,693$3,549
New Jersey$2,572$3,722
Massachusetts$2,561$4,000
Rhode Island$2,559$3,053
Washington$2,534$3,910
Wisconsin$2,532$4,000
Maine$2,514$3,430
Oregon$2,503$4,058
Vermont$2,502$3,329
New Hampshire$2,472$2,909
Hawaii$2,448$3,679
Wyoming$2,424$2,988
New York$2,399$4,843
Idaho$2,395$3,897
Montana$2,353$3,750
Iowa$2,352$3,409
What cities pay the most for Travel Labor and Delivery Nurses?
CityAverage Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
Staten Island, New York$4,843$4,843
Cambridge, Massachusetts$3,850$3,850
Watsonville, California$3,728$4,116
Santa Cruz, California$3,417$3,834
Folsom, California$3,399$3,425
Salinas, California$3,318$4,746
Woodland, California$3,300$3,300
Hollister, California$3,290$3,291
Vancouver, Washington$3,288$3,910
Campbell, California$3,279$3,279
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse jobs?
Average Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
FlexStaff$4,843$4,843
SnapCare$3,899$3,899
Fastaff Travel Nursing$3,766$3,766
United Health Care Staffing$3,703$3,703
Aptiva Healthcare$3,700$3,700
eTeam Inc - Secondary$3,687$4,018
GQR Healthcare-Allied$3,648$3,648
Catapult Healthcare$3,600$3,600
Cure Healthcare Staffing$3,563$3,563
Medical Edge Recruitment$3,480$3,480

Last updated on November 9, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

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Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse Career Guide

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How can you increase your pay as a travel labor and delivery nurse?

Accepting travel contracts is a great way to increase your pay as an L&D nurse. Travel contracts pay nearly 15% more than staff positions, making it possible to earn more money while performing the same type of work.

How much does a travel labor and delivery nurse make?

Per Vivian Health’s salary data, travel L&D nurses earned an average of $2,516 per week as of April 2, 2023. The total amount you receive for a travel job depends on the length of your contract. Standard contracts last 13 weeks, meaning you could earn $32,708 for a single assignment.

Do travel labor and delivery nurses earn more than staff labor and delivery nurses?

Travel L&D nurses tend to earn more than their staff counterparts. As noted previously, staff jobs paid an average of $44.23 per hour, according to Vivian Health's data from April 2, 2023. In contrast, travel contracts paid an average of $2,516 per week, which breaks down to $62.90 per hour if you work a 40-hour workweek. That's a difference of 42.2%.

What states employ the most labor and delivery nurses?

Based on BLS data for May 2021, these five states employ the most registered nurses, which may include L&D nurses:

  • California - 324,400

  • Texas - 217,630

  • New York - 188,300

  • Florida - 187,920

  • Pennsylvania - 149,270

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Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse FAQs

How much does a Labor and Delivery RN make?

Labor and Delivery nurses, also called L&D nurses, work closely with obstetricians and gynecologists primarily in a hospital setting. Hospitals usually have a separate area specifically for labor and delivery. They may also work in birthing centers and private physician practices. Salaries for labor and delivery RNs are some of the highest among nursing specialties but they can vary based on several factors.

What is a Labor and Delivery RN?

Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses who specialize in helping female patients during the childbirth process. They provide direct patient care and monitor the mother and baby’s health and well-being throughout labor and delivery, then provide postpartum care immediately following birth. L&D nurses may work with and monitor the progress of several patients each day, but they only work with one patient in active labor at a time.

Before entering a specialized field like labor and delivery, you must first become a registered nurse. This requires graduating from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). While it’s possible to enter the nursing field with an associate degree, it’s recommended you acquire a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to increase your desirability as a labor and delivery candidate and your salary base. All nursing school graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and earn Basic Life Support certification.

How a Labor and Delivery RN salary is based

Length of experience impacts a labor and delivery nurse’s base salary. Entry-level L&D nurses should expect to earn less than a mid-career nurse with five to 10 years of experience. Likewise, a mid-career nurse earns less than seasoned L&D nurses with 20-plus years in the field.

Base salary often varies by education level. Bachelor-level nurses typically earn slightly more than those with an associate degree and L&D nurses with higher education have a higher salary than those with a bachelor’s degree. Associate degrees usually take two years to complete while bachelor’s degrees take four. More facilities are looking at requiring BSNs for specialty roles like labor and delivery, so the base salary may reflect this desire.

Completion of key certifications, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications, can increase base salary. Acquiring additional skills, such as basic IV and medication administration skills, and completing professional programs, such as the Fetal Heart Monitoring certification program or Neonatal Resuscitation Program, can also increase an L&D nurse’s base salary.

Clinical setting typically impacts base salaries, but job location almost always has an effect. For example, labor and delivery nurses earn significantly more in California compared to Oklahoma. Due to cost of living, base salary is not only impacted by the state but also the city where a job is located. Metropolitan areas generally pay more, sometimes much more, than rural regions.

How to increase your Labor and Delivery RN salary

Increasing your labor and delivery RN salary comes naturally as you gain more experience. However, you can advance your career and expand your earnings at an accelerated pace through additional education and certifications.

Furthering your education can open doors to advanced practice nursing roles in labor and delivery and higher salaries. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing takes two to three years and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program takes four to six years. A master’s degree can prepare you to become a nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology (OGNP) and either degree may lead to a career as a certified nurse-midwife. Both career paths come with significant salary increases.

There’s often a substantial difference in salary between a non-certified and certified L&D nurse. Increase your labor and delivery RN salary by earning the NCC credential in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) after you’ve completed at least two years and 2,000 hours of experience in labor and delivery nursing practice.

High & Low Paying States or Regions

Increasing your labor and delivery nursing salary can be as easy as switching locations as some states pay much more than others. However, don’t forget to factor in the cost of living for the region to determine whether the salary realistically provides a livable wage. Areas with a high cost of living may quickly eat up these larger salaries and make locations with smaller salaries and lower cost of living expenses more attractive in the long run.

What professional certifications can potentially increase my salary as a Labor and Delivery RN?

Earning your Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM), AWHONN Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM), Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (CPLC) or Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work, and Emotional support (STABLE) often increases your salary potential as a labor and delivery nurse or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.

Can having a Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) boost my salary as a Labor and Delivery RN?

Yes, having a Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a labor and delivery nurse.

Can having a AWHONN Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM) boost my salary as a Labor and Delivery RN?

Yes, having a AWHONN Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a labor and delivery nurse.

Can having a Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work, and Emotional support (STABLE) boost my salary as a Labor and Delivery RN?

Yes, having a Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work, and Emotional support (STABLE) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a labor and delivery nurse.

Where can I learn more about working as a Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse?

Take a look at Vivian's Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.