Both should earn more than they do, obviously. My sister is trying to choose between midwifery and teaching. Both seem so different but she wants a guaranteed career and is trying to decide which route to take. I’ve been running comparisons with her.Whats shocked me is what a shoddy deal midwifes seem to get. Before taking into account that obviously, sadly, it carry huge emotional weight when things go wrong. Not entirely comparable in profession but why would anyone do this job?
Starting salary:
Midwife - £29,970
Teacher - £32,916
Highest salary without going into leadership
Midwife - £42,618
Teacher - £45,321
Holidays:
Teacher - 13 weeks plus term time bank holidays (though some unpaid, this is included in above salary) major holidays off, no flexibility to take term time off
Midwife - 27 days plus bank holidays, often work major holidays, can book time off when needed, though hard to get approval.
Pension (employer contribution):
Teacher - 28.6%
Midwife - 23.7%
Shifts:
Teacher - 6.5 hour shift mon-fri daytime (student facing) lots of reported overtime
Midwife - 12 hour shift inc evenings and weekends (patient facing) lots of reported overtime
AIBU to think midwives are getting a crap deal? Is it because they’re not as unionised?
also she’s obviously not basing which career she goes for on the above factors, but it has to be taken into consideration!