Delaware has picturesque landscapes and rich cultural history, but it’s celebrated for more than just its charming scenery and vibrant community. It is also a thriving center for the healthcare industry. As the demand for quality medical services continues to grow, nurses in the First State are experiencing the benefits of job availability and competitive salaries.
This article explores average nurse salaries in Delaware, providing insights into the financial side of popular nursing roles in the region.
Just how much do nurses make in Delaware?
Interested in discovering more about nursing salaries in Delaware? Compensation for nursing professionals in the First State can vary depending on their specific roles and areas of expertise. In this overview, we highlight some key nursing positions in Delaware, providing insights into their average hourly and annual wages based on information sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do registered nurses make in Delaware?
Registered nurses in Delaware earn an average of $47.82 an hour, or about $99,460 a year. Pay varies widely based on experience and specialty. Nurses toward the lower end of the pay scale (10th percentile) earn around $37.66 an hour, or about $78,340 a year, while nurses at the top of the scale (90th percentile) earn $59.55 an hour, or about $123,860 a year. The median hourly wage for RNs in Delaware is $47.85.
To work as an RN in Delaware, nurses need a state-specific license. Delaware is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so registered nurses who already hold a compact license from another NLC state can work in Delaware without applying for a separate license.
How much do nurse midwives make in Delaware?
Nurse midwives are among the higher paid nursing roles in Delaware, earning an average of $62.79 an hour, or about $130,610 a year. Entry level nurse midwives (10th percentile) earn closer to $49.37 an hour, while those with more experience (90th percentile) can earn $73.85 an hour or more. The median hourly wage for this role is $61.30.
Nurse midwives provide care for women during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. Because this role requires advanced training and certification, pay tends to run higher than many other nursing specialties.
How much do nurse practitioners make in Delaware?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Delaware earn an average of $63.89 an hour, or about $132,900 a year, making this one of the highest paid nursing roles in the state. Pay ranges from about $46.85 an hour at the 10th percentile up to $78.30 an hour at the 90th percentile. The median hourly wage is $63.00.
NPs can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and manage patient care, often serving as a primary care provider. This added scope of practice is one reason NP pay tends to be higher than pay for RNs.
How much do LPNs and LVNs make in Delaware?
Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses in Delaware earn an average of $33.42 an hour, or about $69,500 a year. Pay ranges from $28.47 an hour at the 10th percentile to $37.30 an hour at the 90th percentile, with a median wage of $33.03 an hour.
LPNs and LVNs provide hands-on nursing care under the direction of RNs and physicians, including monitoring vital signs, administering medication, and helping patients with daily needs.
How much do nursing assistants (CNAs) make in Delaware?
Nursing assistants, often called CNAs, earn an average of $20.33 an hour, or about $42,290 a year, in Delaware. Pay ranges from $17.56 an hour at the 10th percentile to $23.12 an hour at the 90th percentile, with a median wage of $20.21 an hour.
CNAs support patients with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and moving around, and they help RNs and LPNs monitor patient wellbeing. This role is often a starting point for people entering the nursing field.
Finding nursing jobs in Delaware
Now that you're informed about nursing career prospects in Delaware, you might be wondering how to secure a nursing job in the state. Here are some strategies:
- Online Job Platforms: Explore online job platforms like Indeed, Monster, or LinkedIn for nursing job listings specific to Delaware.
- Healthcare Institution Websites: Check the career sections of major healthcare institutions in Delaware, such as ChristianaCare, Bayhealth, Beebe Healthcare, and Nemours Children's Health System.
- Nursing Staffing Agencies: Reach out to local nursing staffing agencies and recruitment firms that specialize in healthcare placements within Delaware.
- Nursing Apps: Consider utilizing nursing apps like CareRev, which can assist you in finding available nursing shifts in Delaware. CareRev connects nurses with healthcare facilities across the United States, providing a variety of nursing opportunities in Delaware.
*The salary figures in this article do not reflect rates found on the CareRev app. Salary figures above reflect 2025 mean wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
