Midwife Salary in Denmark 2026: How Much Do They Earn?
Midwives guide and support expectant parents before, during, and after birth. They manage deliveries and perform check-ups and health promotion.
- Low (25%)
- 400,000 DKK
- High (75%)
- 560,000 DKK
Salary Range for Midwife
Most midwifes earn between 400,000 DKK and 560,000 DKK per year.
Net Salary as Midwife
| Salary Level | Gross/year | Net/month | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 400,000 DKK | 23,003 DKK | 30.99% |
| Average | 475,000 DKK | 26,999 DKK | 31.79% |
| High | 560,000 DKK | 31,290 DKK | 32.95% |
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What does a midwife do day-to-day?
A midwife's day on a Danish maternity ward starts with a handover from colleagues, covering ongoing births and newly admitted women. From there, you assess labour progression, perform vaginal examinations, monitor the baby's heart rate via CTG, and provide pain relief — from TENS and water to epidural in collaboration with anaesthesia. You independently manage normal births, provide emergency first aid for the newborn, and guide first-time breastfeeding. In antenatal clinics, you follow pregnant women through routine check-ups and wellbeing conversations. Midwives work three-shift rotations under the collective agreement between the Danish Midwives' Association and the Danish Regions.
Education and qualifications
The midwifery degree is a 3½-year professional bachelor's offered at Copenhagen University College and VIA University College in Aarhus. The programme alternates between theory and clinical placements on maternity wards. After graduation, the Danish Patient Safety Authority issues authorisation — a prerequisite for independently managing births. Foreign-trained midwives from the EU can apply for automatic recognition.
Career progression and salary steps for a midwife
| Career stage | Annual gross salary |
|---|---|
| Newly qualified midwife | 395,000 DKK |
| Experienced midwife (4+ yrs) | 475,000 DKK |
| Specialist midwife / Clinical supervisor | 540,000 DKK |
| Chief midwife / Lead midwife | 620,000 DKK |
Figures are indicative gross salaries. Use the calculator above to see your exact take-home pay after tax in your municipality.
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Calculate your net pay as Midwife
See exactly what you take home with 39,583 DKK/mo gross salary
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See trends →See tax breakdown for 450,000 DKK
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Compare nurse, teacher, pedagogue and 7 other public sector jobs side by side with 2026 tax rates
View salary scales →Midwife salary across municipalities
Net pay as a midwife varies up to 721 DKK/mo depending on municipality. Here are the 8 largest municipalities:
| Municipality | Tax Rate | Net/month |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | 23.39% | 26,999 DKK |
| Vejle | 23.40% | 26,997 DKK |
| Frederiksberg | 24.50% | 26,704 DKK |
| Aarhus | 24.52% | 26,699 DKK |
| Odense | 25.50% | 26,438 DKK |
| Viborg | 25.50% | 26,438 DKK |
| Aalborg | 25.60% | 26,411 DKK |
| Esbjerg | 26.10% | 26,278 DKK |
Who Earns More?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Midwives working three-shift rotations on maternity wards typically earn 20-30% extra in shift and unsociable-hours supplements on top of base pay. A base salary of around 34,000 DKK per month can therefore reach 40,000-44,000 DKK including evening, night, and weekend supplements.
Yes. Private-practice midwives offer home births, consultations, and birth preparation classes either on a self-pay basis or under a public health insurance agreement with the region. Annual income varies from 350,000 to 700,000 DKK depending on client base.
A midwife is independently responsible for managing normal births and following the pregnancy, while an obstetric nurse assists the doctor in complicated deliveries and caesarean sections. In Denmark, midwifery is a standalone professional bachelor’s degree — not a postgraduate specialisation on top of nursing, as it is in several other countries.
A midwife earns on average 475,000 DKK per year in Denmark. This equals approximately 26,999 DKK after tax per month.
With the average salary of 475,000 DKK, you take home approximately 26,999 DKK per month after tax. This corresponds to an effective tax rate of 31.79%.
The salary range for midwifes in Denmark goes from approximately 400,000 DKK (25th percentile) to 560,000 DKK (75th percentile) per year. Your actual salary depends on experience, education, and workplace.