How Much Does an LPN Make in Delaware in 2026?
Typical pay for LPNs in Delaware, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Delaware · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical LPN in Delaware earns about $33.03 per hour ($68,710 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $5,726 a month and $1,321 a week. These figures describe typical pay across the state, before overtime, shift differentials, or benefits.
That pay is 7% above the national typical wage of $64,400 for LPNs. Delaware ranks 19th out of 51 states and jurisdictions by typical pay. About 2,240 LPNs work in the state, a modest workforce compared with the 648,410 counted nationwide, but enough to establish a clear local pay picture.
LPN pay in Delaware at a glance
- LPNs in Delaware typically earn $33.03 an hour ($68,710 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- Delaware's typical LPN pay is 7% above the national figure of $64,400, ranking the state 19th out of 51 states and jurisdictions.
- Wilmington pays LPNs the most in the state, with typical pay of $70,710 a year across its metro area.
- Entry-level LPNs typically start around $59,210 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $77,580.
- Delaware LPN pay has climbed 39% over the past decade, from $49,440 in 2015 to $68,710 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an LPN make in Delaware?
LPN pay by career stage in Delaware
| Career stage | Delaware | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $59,210$28.47 an hour | $49,740$23.91 an hour |
| First years | $64,420$30.97 an hour | $59,000$28.37 an hour |
| Typical LPN | $68,710$33.03 an hour | $64,400$30.96 an hour |
| Experienced | $75,020$36.07 an hour | $76,030$36.55 an hour |
| Top 10% | $77,580$37.30 an hour | $83,440$40.12 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
LPN pay by experience level in Delaware
Entry-level LPN positions in Delaware typically offer around $28.47 an hour, or about $59,210 a year, according to the same May 2025 wage data. That is the pay range most new LPNs see when they start out. Within a few years of experience, pay tends to move up toward the state's typical figure of $68,710 a year.
Experienced LPNs in Delaware often earn upwards of $36.07 to $37.30 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $77,580 a year. That leaves a spread of $18,370 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and location within the state, such as working in Wilmington versus a smaller town, all factor into where an individual LPN lands in that range.
LPN pay growth in Delaware
Typical (median) annual wage for LPNs in Delaware · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Delaware LPN pay has risen steadily over the past decade, climbing from $49,440 in 2015 to $68,710 in 2025, according to government wage data. That is a gain of $19,270, or 39%, over ten years. The increase has been consistent year over year, with no single year accounting for most of the change.
Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same decade. Delaware's growth has lagged the country as a whole, even though dollar pay increased substantially. For someone starting an LPN career in Delaware now, the decade of data shows pay has moved up considerably. There is no guarantee that pace continues, but the trend has been consistently upward.
LPN salary by city in Delaware
Pay runs highest in the Wilmington metro area, where LPNs typically earn $70,710 a year ($34.00 an hour). That is about 3% above the statewide figure. Delaware reports pay for only two metro areas, and Wilmington sets the high end of local pay.
The Dover metro area pays the least, with typical LPN pay of $62,140 a year ($29.88 an hour), a spread of $8,570 between the two. Wilmington also has by far the larger LPN workforce, with 15,920 counted there compared with 300 in Dover. Higher pay in Wilmington tends to track its higher cost of living relative to Dover.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Delaware | LPNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $70,710 | $34.00 | +3% | 15,920 |
| 2 | Dover | $62,140 | $29.88 | -10% | 300 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Delaware typical pay $68,710
How Delaware compares with nearby states
Delaware's neighbors show a mixed picture. LPNs in New Jersey typically earn $75,160 a year, 9% more than in Delaware, and Maryland pays a similar $74,660, also 9% higher. Pennsylvania pays less, at $63,940, about 7% below Delaware's figure. LPN licenses can often be endorsed or transferred between neighboring states, which makes it practical to weigh these differences when considering where to work.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $68,710 | baseline |
| New Jersey | $75,160 | +9% |
| Maryland | $74,660 | +9% |
| Pennsylvania | $63,940 | -7% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical LPN pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Delaware a good state for LPNs?
LPNs in Delaware earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $68,710 a year, 7% above the national figure, ranking 19th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Delaware, about 4.6 are LPN positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 4.2. LPN jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Taken together, Delaware is one of the better-paying states for LPNs.
Summary
LPNs in Delaware typically earn $68,710 a year, pay that has climbed 39% over the past decade and now sits above the national figure. For specifics on becoming licensed, check Delaware's board of nursing requirements and registry listings. For pay in a particular area, the Wilmington and Dover city pages break down local figures in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an LPN make in Delaware?
- LPNs in Delaware typically earn $33.03 an hour, or $68,710 a year, according to government wage data from May 2025. That works out to roughly $5,726 a month or $1,321 a week. Pay varies with experience, employer, and location, with Wilmington generally paying more than other parts of the state.
- How much does an LPN make an hour in Delaware?
- The typical hourly pay for an LPN in Delaware is $33.03, based on May 2025 wage data. Entry-level LPNs start around $28.47 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $37.30 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an LPN in Delaware?
- Entry-level LPN positions in Delaware typically pay around $28.47 an hour, or about $59,210 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. That is the range most new LPNs see when they start out, with pay tending to rise toward the state's typical figure of $68,710 within a few years.
- Which city in Delaware pays LPNs the most?
- Wilmington pays LPNs the most in Delaware, with typical pay of $70,710 a year, or $34.00 an hour, about 3% above the statewide figure. Dover pays less, at $62,140 a year. Delaware reports pay for only these two metro areas, so figures elsewhere in the state are less documented.
- Is LPN pay in Delaware higher than the national rate?
- Yes. LPNs in Delaware typically earn $68,710 a year, about 7% more than the national figure of $64,400, according to May 2025 wage data. Delaware ranks 19th out of 51 states and jurisdictions for LPN pay, placing it in the upper half nationally.