A midwife (matrona or matrón) in Chile earns between CLP 1.5 million and CLP 1.9 million gross a month four years after graduating, depending on the university, according to the Employability and Income Search Tool of Mi Futuro, run by the Undersecretariat of Higher Education. The highest income goes to graduates of the University of Antofagasta, in the CLP 1.8 to 1.9 million bracket.
In public hospitals, midwives belong to the professional staff under the Administrative Statute, and their pay depends on their grade: from CLP 1,275,277 gross (grade 17) to CLP 3,522,228 (grade 5), before seniority bonuses and shift pay. This guide explains how much a midwife earns in Chile in each case, how long it takes to find work and how the career compares with other health professions.
How much a midwife earns in Chile by university
| University | Gross monthly income, 4th year | Employability, 1st year | Employability, 2nd year |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Antofagasta | CLP 1.8 to 1.9 million | 81.6% | 96.2% |
| University of Santiago, Chile | CLP 1.7 to 1.8 million | 86.5% | 96.9% |
| University of Valparaíso | CLP 1.7 to 1.8 million | 85.9% | 92.9% |
| Diego Portales University | CLP 1.7 to 1.8 million | 80.6% | 88.8% |
| University of Chile | CLP 1.6 to 1.7 million | 79.2% | 90.9% |
| Austral University of Chile | CLP 1.6 to 1.7 million | 77.3% | 94.9% |
| University of La Frontera | CLP 1.6 to 1.7 million | 79.4% | 84.5% |
| University of Tarapacá | CLP 1.6 to 1.7 million | 73.2% | 91.2% |
| Mayor University | CLP 1.6 to 1.7 million | 73.2% | 86.3% |
| San Sebastián University | CLP 1.6 to 1.7 million | 66.4% | 81.4% |
| Andrés Bello University | CLP 1.5 to 1.6 million | 63.5% | 80.9% |
| Autonomous University of Chile | CLP 1.5 to 1.6 million | 58.7% | 82.7% |
| University of Concepción | CLP 1.5 to 1.6 million | 68.1% | 86.7% |
| Bernardo O'Higgins U. and U. of los Andes | n/a | 49.7% and 72.6% | 75.7% and n/a |
Source: Mi Futuro, Obstetrics and Childcare program (15 programs, 13 with income data), retrieved November 4, 2026. According to the search tool's methodology, income is the average gross monthly income of 2018, 2019 and 2020 graduates in their fourth year after graduating, calculated with data from Chile's tax agency (SII) and expressed in September 2025 pesos. Employability is the share of graduates earning at least the minimum wage in their first or second year. Programs with few cases appear as "no information" (n/a).
The gap between universities is only CLP 300,000 between the lowest and highest bracket. On average, the bracket floor of the 13 programs with data is CLP 1.62 million.
How much a midwife earns in a Chilean public hospital
Midwives in the public health services are governed by the Administrative Statute (Law 18,834) and belong to the professional staff, the same as nurses, physical therapists and nutritionists. The lower the grade number, the higher the salary. This is the gross monthly pay with no seniority bonuses:
| Grade | Base salary | Total gross monthly pay (0 seniority bonuses) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | CLP 822,491 | CLP 3,522,228 |
| 7 | CLP 715,163 | CLP 3,039,924 |
| 9 | CLP 613,027 | CLP 2,544,278 |
| 11 | CLP 525,644 | CLP 2,144,971 |
| 13 | CLP 450,639 | CLP 1,795,022 |
| 15 | CLP 386,316 | CLP 1,512,586 |
| 17 | CLP 331,147 | CLP 1,275,277 |
Source: Law 18,834 pay table for professional positions of the Health Ministry's Undersecretariat of Care Networks, in force since June 2026 with the 1.4% adjustment of Law 21,806 (published by Hospital Carlos van Buren). Amounts for staff in private pension funds (AFP); total pay adds the base salary, professional allowance, substitute allowance and other legal components.
Each health service sets the entry grade according to the vacancy. On top of that come seniority bonuses (every two years of service), shift allowances for those who work nights, weekends and holidays in maternity wards and emergency rooms, a zone allowance in remote regions and performance bonuses. Overtime at grade 15, for example, pays CLP 6,626 at 100% and CLP 9,939 at 150%, according to the same table.
Employability: how long it takes a midwife to find work
| Indicator (Obstetrics) | Range across universities | Simple average |
|---|---|---|
| Employability, 1st year | 49.7% (Bernardo O'Higgins) to 86.5% (Santiago) | 73.1% |
| Employability, 2nd year | 75.7% to 96.9% | 87.9% |
| Actual length of the program | 10.3 to 15.3 semesters | 12.4 semesters |
| First-year retention | 77.8% to 100% | 93.3% |
Source: Mi Futuro, simple averages calculated by Vivarae News. Almost three in four midwives earn above the minimum wage in their first year, and almost nine in ten in their second. In practice the program takes a little over six years, more than the formal five.
Midwives compared with other health careers
| Program | Average bracket floor, 4th-year income | Average 1st-year employability |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing | CLP 1.76 million | 79.3% |
| Obstetrics (midwife) | CLP 1.62 million | 73.1% |
| Physical Therapy | CLP 1.33 million | 53.1% |
| Occupational Therapy | CLP 1.19 million | 49.8% |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | CLP 1.10 million | 45.2% |
| Speech Therapy | CLP 1.02 million | 42.8% |
Source: Mi Futuro, retrieved November 4, 2026; simple averages of programs with data, calculated by Vivarae News. Among five-year health careers, Obstetrics ranks second in income and employability, behind only Nursing. For more, see how much a nurse earns, how much a physical therapist earns and how much a doctor earns in Chile.
From gross to net pay for a midwife
For a hospital midwife at grade 15, with total pay of CLP 1,512,586, the legal deductions are the AFP pension contribution (10% plus the fund's fee), health insurance (7% in Fonasa or the private Isapre plan) and income tax where applicable. With a fee of about 1.5%, contributions add up to around 18.5%, leaving net pay of about CLP 1.23 million before tax (own approximate calculation). For reference, the minimum wage in Chile has been CLP 553,553 since May 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a newly graduated midwife earn in Chile?
There is no official first-year income figure. Mi Futuro reports income in the fourth year, CLP 1.5 to 1.9 million gross depending on the university. In a public hospital, the starting salary depends on the grade of the vacancy.
How much does a midwife earn in the public sector?
Between CLP 1,275,277 (grade 17) and CLP 3,522,228 (grade 5) gross a month without seniority bonuses, according to the Health Ministry pay table in force since June 2026. Shifts, seniority and allowances raise the amount.
Which university has the best-paid midwives?
The University of Antofagasta, with income of CLP 1.8 to 1.9 million in the fourth year, according to Mi Futuro, followed by the universities of Santiago and Valparaíso and Diego Portales University.
Is it easy to find work as a midwife?
On average, 73.1% of graduates earn above the minimum wage in their first year and 87.9% in their second, according to Mi Futuro.
