Salaries & salary scales · healthcare 2026

How much does a midwife earn in 2026?

The official IFIC salary scales for employed midwives, by position and seniority — plus additional coverage and where you can start working today.

€ 3,692.71Gross monthly starting salary as a midwife (IFIC category 15)
€ 3,447.52Gross monthly starting salary as a postpartum midwife (category 14)
€5,798.91gross per month after 35 years of seniority (category 15)

Source: IFIC salary scales for the private healthcare sectors, index July 1, 2026 · gross per month, full-time · view all salary scales

Gross monthly salary based on seniority

In healthcare, your salary follows at least the IFIC scale: it depends on the category of your position and increases every year with your seniority. This is how the gross monthly salary for a full-time job evolves.

SeniorityMidwife¹Postpartum midwife²
Start (0 years)€ 3,692.71€ 3,447.52
5 years€4,296.94€4,015.77
10 years€4,758.33€4,447.70
15 years€ 5,100.30€4,766.97
20 years€ 5,374.51€5,022.97
25 years€5,568.99€ 5,204.53
35 years (maximum)€5,798.91€ 5,419.17

¹ Category 15: the position of midwife, as the IFIC job guide refers to the profession. ² Category 14: the position of postpartum midwife.

The IFIC salary scale increases every year up to 35 years of seniority; the table shows the amount after the stated number of years. You can find the category of your position in the IFIC function guide.

Good to know

  • Gross and full-time. The amounts apply to a full-time job; if you work part-time, you receive a proportional share.
  • Bonuses on top of your salary scale. Salary elements such as holiday pay, the end-of-year bonus, and premiums for irregular working hours (night, weekend, public holidays) are added to the salary scale.
  • Indexing. Wages follow the index; the table shows the level as of July 1, 2026. In the private sector, the cent index applies temporarily since June 2026: above €4,000 gross per month, your salary increases by a maximum of €80 upon indexation.
  • For whom? The IFIC salary scale applies to employees who started employment or changed positions since 1 May 2018 (hospitals, home nursing, and the other federal care sectors) or since 1 November 2019 (Flemish care sectors such as residential care centers).
  • Private or public. The table shows the scales for private institutions. Public institutions, such as public hospitals or residential care centres of a Public Centre for Social Welfare, use their own IFIC tables for the public sector.
  • Net? That depends on your family situation and the withholding tax. With our gross-net calculator calculate an indication immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a newly qualified midwife earn?

You start at €3,692.71 gross per month (IFIC category 15) — for a full-time job, at the July 2026 index. If you work as a postpartum midwife, category 14 applies with a starting salary of €3,447.52.

Why does "midwife" appear in the pay scale?

Midwife is the job title in the IFIC Job Classification System. It refers to the same profession as midwife.

What does a head midwife earn?

An assistant head midwife falls into IFIC category 16, with a salary scale starting at €4,027.06 gross per month. A head midwife falls into category 17, with a salary scale starting at €4,348.53.

Does this salary scale also apply to self-employed midwives?

No. The IFIC scale applies to employed midwives, for example in a hospital. As an independent midwife, you do not have a scale.

How do I find a job as a midwife?

On JobFunders, you will find vacancies for midwives throughout Flanders. Create one free profile with your qualifications and preferences, and Jobby — your digital career buddy — will invite you as soon as an employer is looking for something that truly suits you. View the vacancies for midwives.

Also interesting: Vacancies for midwives · What does a nurse earn? · Vacancies for nurses · Calculate your net salary

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