Quick Takeaways:
- Average per-birth fee ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 (and up to $5,000 in major cities).
- Full-time is typically considered 3–4 births per month. Part-time doula work is common and can keep you in the field while doing other work.
- Certification helps with both getting hired and setting higher rates.
- You can often make back your training investment with just one client.
Why This Question Comes Up So Often
If you’re considering becoming a doula or just getting started, chances are you’ve wondered: Can I actually make a living doing this? You’re not alone. Birth work is deeply personal, but it’s also work. And it’s okay to want to be paid fairly for it.
Let’s break down the real numbers and what they mean for your doula career.
What Do Doulas Charge Per Birth?
Most doulas in the U.S. charge between $1,500 and $2,000 per birth. In high-cost cities, rates can go as high as $5,000. See the Doula Fee Calculator
That fee usually includes:
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- Two prenatal visits
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- Unlimited phone/text support for questions
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- A 4-week on-call window (usually starting at 38 weeks)
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- Labor and birth support
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- One postpartum visit
These services span weeks or even months of time, not just the birth day.
What Does That Translate to in Annual Income?
Let’s run a few sample scenarios using a flat 25% deduction for taxes and business expenses. You can also plug your own numbers into the Doula Income Planner (coming soon).
Scenario A: Light Part-Time Doula
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- 1 client per month for 8 months = 8 births/year
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- Charging $1,800 each = $14,400 gross
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- After 25% in taxes/expenses = $10,800 net
Scenario B: Standard Part-Time Doula
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- 2 clients per month for 6 months = 12 births/year
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- Charging $1,800 each = $21,600 gross
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- After 25% in taxes/expenses = $16,200 net
Scenario C: Full-Time Doula
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- 4 clients per month for 9 months = 36 births/year
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- Charging $2,000 each = $72,000 gross
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- After 25% in taxes/expenses = $54,000 net
More clients means more income, but it can also mean more use of backups, more prenatal/postpartum rescheduling, and higher energy demands.
What Affects Your Income as a Doula?
Location: Urban areas often support higher rates. Cost of living, client demographics, and hospital culture all play a role.
Certification: Certified doulas are more frequently hired and can often charge more. DoulaMatch data supports this trend.
Workload: Many doulas work part-time either by choice or necessity—to balance another job, caregiving, or simply to avoid burnout.
Business Skills: Understanding how to budget, track expenses, and handle taxes goes a long way in keeping more of what you earn.
Should You Offer Extra Services?
Offering things like childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, or postpartum doula work can be great income add-ons later. But don’t feel like you have to start there.
Many doulas guess at what their market needs and invest in trainings they never use. Build a solid base first. Then expand based on actual client demand.
What Are the Ongoing Costs?
The good news: you can start for the cost of your training and often make that back with one client.
Ongoing costs might include:
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- Certification renewal (about $300 every 3 years)
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- Website or listing service fees
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- Insurance
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- Continuing education
When you average it out, many doulas keep 75% of their fee after taxes and business costs. That’s a strong margin compared to many other professions.
Want a deeper dive on what expenses to plan for? This guide breaks down common first-year doula costs.
Yes, You Can Make a Living
One of the biggest mindset shifts for new doulas is recognizing that this is a job. You’re running a small business.
If you treat it like a business, set fair fees, track your expenses, and build your skills, it can be both personally and financially fulfilling.
If you’re just starting out and want to become a doula, check out my doula training to get started with the right foundation.
Be sure to bookmark this and come back to use the Doula Income Planner once it’s live. You deserve clear, honest info as you grow your practice.
