Doula Salary - What Can Postpartum Doulas Earn?

How much do doulas make?

While being a doula is often a passion and a calling, it is also a business and the way you may bring in an income to contribute to your family.

One of the most common questions I see from people considering this path is, “How much can a postpartum doula expect to earn?”

There’s no single answer to this. Like any job, it can depend on location, your target market, your services, and a lot of other factors.

But unlike many other jobs, when you start your own doula business, you can heavily influence your own earnings.

The more you work toward building a strong foundation and a trustworthy business, the more you will increase your doula pay. Whether your goal is to supplement other income or be a full-time birth boss, postpartum doula work can be a great option.

How much do doulas charge?

When you start out as a postpartum doula, one of the first things you will need to do is determine the packages you will offer and what to charge.

Even without a lot of experience under your belt, never undervalue yourself and your services.

Something as simple as looking at other doulas in the area can help you understand the going rate and position yourself within that range.

There is no single recommended price for postpartum doula work, but there are some common things that contribute to each person’s pricing. Location will be one of the biggest- the average cost of a postpartum doula in San Francisco or New York City can reach $65 per hour, while most small towns are closer to $25 to $35 per hour to reflect a lower cost of living. The availability of doulas in the area can also contribute to these differences, with a larger pool of doulas meaning you may need to be more competitive.

Your exact services will also be a part of your price setting. If you have certifications beyond typical postpartum work, like lactation consulting or sleep consulting, you may wrap that into your price or you can use it as an add on service. But it’s important to remember that you will usually bring all your knowledge to even a “base” package of care, so it’s okay to have a higher price if you have training, certifications, and experience that other doulas may not.

Crafting Your Business

In almost all cases, being a doula means owning your own business. There are very few roles that exist where a doula will be hired into a role, paid that employer’s rate, and treated like an employee in that way. This can sometimes come with difficulties- like figuring out your price – but is generally a great element of the job. You’re your own boss and make your own rules!

Beyond the amount you charge, being a postpartum doula means you control every aspect of your business. You can choose to take on one client per month for a small bit of extra income- you obviously won’t make as much this way as you would doing the work full time, or taking on overlapping clients, and that may be okay for you. Others may choose to work with multiple clients at a time and fill the entire year to create a full-time income. Neither is better or worse as long as it is what works for you and you are able to deliver excellent care.

If you’re a postpartum doula, the best way to ensure a solid income is put some emphasis on marketing your services while you also build a business based on knowledge, trust, and compassion. With a business that you take seriously and put in the legwork to create, you shouldn’t need to worry about being a doula bringing in “enough” money. You can make the choices that meet your needs and know that your business will support you.