Average Salary for a Doula in the USA 2025: Pay by Experience, Top States & How to Earn More
"Doulas help pregnant women and new mothers during birth and after birth. They give emotional support, comfort, and helpful information during one of life's biggest moments. These professionals work in hospitals, birth centers, and homes to make birth experiences better."
The birth support field is growing fast as more families want personalized care. Doulas do not deliver babies like doctors or nurses do. Instead, they focus on comfort and emotional support throughout the birth process. Many also help after birth with baby care and breastfeeding support.
This career attracts people who care deeply about helping families. The work can be very rewarding but also demanding.
Doulas often work long hours and must be available when babies decide to come. Pay can vary a lot based on where you work, your training, and how many births you attend each year.
This blog will show you exactly how much doulas earn in 2025.
We will break down salaries by experience level and compare pay across different states. You will learn practical ways to increase your income as a doula. We will answer common questions about whether salaries include benefits, how much new doulas make, and what affects pay the most.
Knowing what you can earn helps you plan your doula career better. Whether you want to work part-time or build a full-time practice, this guide gives you the real numbers you need to succeed in this meaningful profession.
Average Salary for a Doula in the USA
$62,000 per year (Average)
Based on multiple salary sources and industry surveys, doula salaries show wide variation.
Salary.com reports that birth doulas earn $111,027 annually, while Glassdoor shows $48,132 per year. Indeed reports $29.57 per hour based on 432 recent salary postings, which equals about $61,500 annually for full-time work.
ZipRecruiter lists $49,220 per year as the national average. The average salary for full-time doulas is about $62,000 a year. This figure comes from government stats, salary platforms, and industry surveys.
Industry sources confirm that most doulas earn between $40,000 and $50,000 yearly, though top performers earn much more.
The salary for doulas has risen a bit since last year. This is because more people want birth support, and insurance is covering doula care more often.
Salary for a Doula Key Metrics 2025
Average salary: $62,000 per year, according to combined data from several USA salary surveys and industry reports. This represents full-time equivalent earnings for active doulas attending regular births.
Salary range: Entry-level doulas earn $15,000-$30,000 annually, while experienced professionals can reach $72,000+. Hourly rates typically range from $25-$50 per hour, with urban areas commanding higher fees due to increased living costs and demand.
Salary by experience: According to multiple USA data sources:
- New doulas often start part-time, earning $15,000-$25,000 annually.
- Mid-level doulas with 2-4 years of experience average $40,000-$55,000.
- Senior doulas with established practices can exceed $70,000 yearly through higher rates and more clients.
75th percentile: Based on industry salary surveys, doulas in the 75th percentile earn approximately $75,000-$85,000 per year. This level includes professionals with strong reputations, advanced certifications, and consistent client demand.
Salary for a Doula: Regional Comparison
Location greatly affects doula earnings due to different costs of living and demand for birth support services. Large cities typically pay more but also have higher business costs. Some states have better insurance coverage for doula services, which increases what families can pay. Competition levels and local birth rates also impact earning potential.
Here's how salaries compare across major regions:
Data collected from multiple salary platforms and regional surveys
Washington state ranks as the highest paying state for doula work, while Florida shows the lowest average pay. Urban areas in high-income states generally offer the best earning potential when balanced against living costs.
6 Tips to Grow Your Doula Salary
1. Get Professional Certification and Training: Certified doulas earn significantly more than uncertified ones. Training through organizations like DONA International or CAPPA can increase your rates by 20-30% according to industry data. Most families prefer working with certified professionals, and hospitals often require certification for doula programs.
2. Specialize in High-Demand Services: Postpartum doulas can earn $112,408-$137,760 annually, according to specialized salary data. Other high-paying specializations include bereavement doulas, fertility support, and VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) support. Each specialty allows you to charge premium rates.
3. Build Relationships with Healthcare Providers: Doulas who partner with midwives, obstetricians, and birthing centers get more referrals. Many successful doulas report that 70-80% of their clients come through healthcare provider recommendations. Building these professional relationships takes time, but leads to a steady income.
4. Offer Package Deals and Additional Services: Instead of charging per birth only, create packages that include prenatal visits, birth support, and postpartum care. Many doulas also offer childbirth education classes, lactation support, or newborn care training. Multiple services can double or triple your income per client.
5. Work in Urban Markets with Higher Birth Rates: Doulas in major cities like San Francisco, Washington, DC, and New York charge $1,600-$2,000 per birth. Urban areas have more clients willing to pay premium rates. However, consider the higher cost of doing business in these markets.
6. Develop Strong Online Presence and Reviews: Most families find doulas through online searches and reviews. Doulas with excellent online reputations can charge 25-40% more than those without a strong digital presence. Social media marketing and professional websites help attract higher-paying clients.
FAQs | Doula's Salary
What is the average salary for a doula in the USA in 2025?
The average salary ranges from $40,000 to $62,000 per year for full-time doulas. This varies widely based on location, experience, and number of births attended, according to multiple industry surveys.
Is the doula's salary before or after taxes?
All reported salaries are gross annual income before taxes. As independent contractors, most doulas must pay self-employment taxes of around 15.3% plus regular income taxes.
Does the average salary for doulas include client fees and tips?
Yes, most salary figures include all client payments and any tips received. However, business expenses like training, certification, and travel costs are not deducted from these totals.
How much do new doulas make when starting their career?
New doulas typically earn $15,000-$30,000 annually while building their client base. Many start part-time while keeping other jobs until they establish a steady income from doula work.
What factors affect a doula's salary the most?
Location, certification level, years of experience, and number of births per year are the main factors. Specialized training in areas like high-risk pregnancies or postpartum care also increases earning potential significantly.
Do doulas receive benefits like health insurance and paid time off?
Most doulas work as independent contractors and do not receive traditional employee benefits. They must purchase their own health insurance and do not get paid when not working with clients.
How does doula pay compare to other birth-related careers?
Midwives earn $120,880 median salary according to government data, while registered nurses make $86,070 annually. Lactation consultants and birth educators have similar earning ranges to doulas, but with different work schedules.
What is the salary range for experienced doulas?
Experienced doula business owners can earn up to $159,365 annually, while senior doulas typically make $60,000-$85,000 per year. Success depends on building a strong reputation and a steady client base.
Are there regional differences in doula salaries across the USA?
Washington state offers the highest doula pay, while Florida has the lowest average salaries. Urban areas consistently pay 20-40% more than rural locations due to higher demand and cost of living.
How many births do doulas attend to earn a full-time income?
Doulas attending 4 births monthly (48 yearly) in major cities can earn $86,400 annually. Most full-time doulas handle 30-50 births per year, depending on their rates and local market conditions.
Can doulas increase their salary through additional training?
Yes, specialized certifications in postpartum care, lactation support, or childbirth education can increase rates by 15-35%. Advanced training also opens opportunities for teaching other doulas or consulting with healthcare facilities.
Do doulas work during holidays and weekends?
Yes, babies come at any time, including holidays and weekends. Most doulas are on-call 24/7 once hired by a client. This demanding schedule is reflected in the higher hourly rates compared to typical part-time work.
All pay information is current as of 2025. Data comes from several global salary surveys and government statistics, 2025.
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