How Much Do Doulas Make?
Before starting your new doula career, learn how to estimate a doula salary.
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How much does a doula earn?
Doulas earn different salaries based on their experience level, geographic location, how much they work, and whether or not they have advanced training and experience or offer specialized services. Doulas generally earn more if they live in coastal cities, where doulas are more popular.
How much do doulas make a year?
How much doulas earn yearly can vary quite a bit depending on how often they work. The average yearly salary for a doula in the United States is between $40,000 and $50,000 annually. However, other factors such as certification, experience, and where you live can result in much higher earnings. Experienced doulas in larger cities, for example, can make over $100,000 annually.
How much do birth doulas make an hour?
Becoming a birth doula means that you’ll have the opportunity to assist expecting parents during pregnancy and the birthing process. While pregnancy assistance and birth preparation is often charged at an hourly rate, birth doulas typically charge flat rates per actual birth as opposed to taking an hourly wage. Across the United States, most birth doulas charge between $500 and $2,000 per birth.
How much does a postpartum doula make?
Postpartum doulas are more likely to charge by the hour as opposed to a flat fee. While postpartum doulas aren’t necessarily involved in the actual birth, they provide vital non-medical, emotional, and practical support to new parents. In larger cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, or New York, postpartum doulas can expect to earn roughly $25 to $65 per hour. In smaller towns, most postpartum doulas will be looking at hourly rates of about $20 to $35. However, training certifications, experience level, and the type of services you offer will have an impact on how much you can charge for your time.
How much do birth doulas make a year?
As a birth doula, your yearly earnings will, of course, depend on how much you charge per birth and how many births you assist in. If you charge $1,000 per birth and assist 2 births each month then you could expect to make $24,000 per year when working part time. On the other hand, if you charge $1,500 per birth and assist 4 births each month then you could expect to make $72,000 per year when working full time. It’s also important to remember that birth doulas also assist during pregnancy and labor preparation, so your rates per birth will be compounded with other services.
How much does a postpartum doula make a year?
Unlike birth doulas, who usually charge per birth, most postpartum doulas charge by the hour. If you’re working full time as a postpartum doula while charging a typical amount (say $45 dollars per hour), your yearly salary would be over $90,000 annually. As with many hourly jobs, your yearly salary is likely to vary from year to year depending on factors such as hours worked, where you live, and your certifications.
How much do doula jobs in hospitals pay?
Doulas working in hospital settings are likely to be birth doulas, but they would most often not be paid a flat rate per birth. Unlike most birth doulas, those that work in hospitals are most often paid between $25 and $35 per hour with benefits and overtime available as well. Bear in mind that doulas are not medical professionals; rather, their role is to provide physical and emotional support to birthing people.
Are doula agencies hiring career doulas as contractors or are they typically salaried?
While many doulas choose to work independently and directly with clients, you also have the option to work with a doula agency. When it comes to signing with an agency, you will almost always work as an independent contractor but it is possible that you may find an agency that hires doulas as employees.
There are pros and cons to both of these options. For example, an independent contractor will have more control over how often they work and the type of work they do. They also have the opportunity to find work outside of the agency and secure multiple sources of income. However, they generally don’t receive the same benefits as an official employee and their income is less stable and predictable without a set salary. Employees have job security and are more likely to have benefits, but they also have less control over their hours and they are dependent on their employer for financial security.
FAQs about doula jobs
Now that we’ve reviewed the typical earnings of a doula, you probably still have a number of questions. Before choosing to work in this important and rewarding field, it’s a good idea to know some basic information about how it works. Here are a few of the most common questions aspiring doulas have.
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Yes. Doulas are in extremely high demand, and this demand is only continuing to grow. More parents than ever are choosing to hire a doula to help them with pregnancy, birth, and after-birth care. Many states are also providing doula support under their state Medicaid benefits. And larger private companies are beginning to include doula services in their employee health benefits packages.
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You can contact a doula agency or hospital. In most cases, these organizations will ask you to complete a certain amount of doula training before you begin working with clients. Additionally, if you have a degree or relevant training, you can work independently by finding clients at baby shops, childbirth centers, midwife groups, and more.
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Yes, doulas can be hired at hospitals. Hospitals may work with doula agencies as opposed to employing doulas. Many hospitals also offer doula volunteer programs, which is a fantastic way to gain experience.
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Yes! Though earnings depend on a number of factors, doulas who work full time and charge a standard per-hour or per-birth rate can earn a yearly salary far above the national average. As you gain experience, you’ll also be able to raise your rates significantly.
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A doula’s salary will depend on all of the various factors we mentioned earlier. Most doulas – from part-time independent contractors to full-time hospital employees – will make between $15,000 and $72,000 per year.
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Absolutely! Being a doula is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. You have the opportunity to make a difference during one of the most profound and vulnerable times in a person’s life. You get to meet new and interesting people, get an intimate understanding of pregnancy and childbirth, and make money by providing an incredibly important service.
Now that you know how much doulas make, take a “Should I Be A Doula?” quiz!
If you’re considering taking a new career path, it's a good idea to explore all of your different options. Now that you know some of the basics of what it’s like to be a doula and how much you can make, take a Should I Be A Doula? quiz to find out if this is the career for you!