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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
Midwives take care of women and babies for pregnancies and deliveries that are not complicated by concerns that require medical intervention. In general, midwives:
Midwives provide care in client homes, clinics, hospitals, and birth centres. They may be required to stand, kneel, bend, or squat for long periods of time.
Midwives may be on call 24 hours a day. They may have to work long, unpredictable hours. Some midwives work together and share on-call schedules.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in analyzing data for the purpose of counselling and educating women concerning diet and pre-natal health practices; and in reassuring patients and providing emotional support during labour and the post-natal period
Interest in operating medical equipment to examine patients and monitor fetuses during labour; and in conducting normal deliveries
Interest in instructing patients on how to care for themselves and their infants; and in providing ongoing advice and support
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Midwives need to possess:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 40 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2021 and Nov 28, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Advise patients on health care | 27 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 23 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 23 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 23 |
| Tasks: Examine patients and take their medical histories and consult with physicians and other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health | 23 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Initiative | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 21 |
The College of Midwives of Alberta (CMA) sets all educational requirements for registered midwives, including identifying approved programs or equivalencies.
Registered midwives in Alberta hold a bachelor of midwifery degree. Once registered, all midwives must complete continuing education requirements as set by the CMA. Currently, this includes regular recertification of CPR, obstetrical emergency skills, and neonatal resuscitation.
To learn more about educational requirements, visit the CMA website.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Midwives are required to have liability insurance. To learn about liability insurance, contact the Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM)
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Midwives provide comprehensive prenatal, labour, birth and postpartum care to clients experiencing normal pregnancy, and provide counselling, education and emotional support related to the clients' physical, psychological and social needs.
Midwife is a protected title under Alberta's Health Disciplines Act and Midwifery Regulation. To call yourself a Midwife or practice as a Midwife, you must be registered by the Midwifery Health Disciplines Committee. Registered members provide health services listed in the Regulation.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Midwife.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
In Alberta, midwives are self-employed. They have hospital privileges in designated Alberta Health Services facilities across Alberta.
Midwives must have a reliable vehicle and the equipment required to practice midwifery.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 3124: Allied primary health practitioners occupational group, 94.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 3124: Allied primary health practitioners occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Midwifery is funded by Alberta’s health care system. Employment opportunities are expected to increase as midwifery services become funded in rural areas throughout Alberta.
Earnings vary as midwives are independent practitioners.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $41.49 | $50.43 | $46.84 | $48.27 |
| Overall | $46.35 | $55.62 | $54.46 | $55.37 |
| Top | $49.28 | $62.91 | $60.62 | $62.91 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $97,452 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $97,773 |
| Public Administration | $92,626 |
Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM) website: abmidwives.ca
Canadian Association of Midwives website: canadianmidwives.org
Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium website: www.cmrc-ccosf.ca
College of Midwives of Alberta website: www.albertamidwives.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
