How Much Does an NP Make in Delaware in 2026?

A typical NP in Delaware earns about $63.00 per hour ($131,040 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $10,920 a month, calculated from the annual figure, or about $2,520 a week. These figures describe pay across the whole state, before taxes or benefits are factored in.

That is about 1% below the $132,300 national typical pay and the $63.61 national hourly figure, according to the same May 2025 data. Delaware ranks 28th out of 51 states and jurisdictions for NP pay. About 1,430 NPs work in the state. Pay running slightly below the national figure often lines up with a lower cost of living, which is common across many East Coast states outside major metro cores.

Entry-level positions in Delaware typically offer around $46.85 per hour, or about $97,450 per year, according to the same May 2025 wage data. Pay generally rises toward the state's $63.00 typical hourly figure within the first several years on the job. Newer NPs often start in primary care or lower-acuity settings before moving into higher-paying specialties. Gaining certifications and experience tends to close the gap over time.

Experienced NPs in Delaware often earn upwards of $73.58 per hour, around $153,050 per year, and the top 10% of earners make over $78.30 per hour, or $162,870 per year. That leaves a $65,420 spread between entry-level and top pay in the state. The gap usually comes down to practice setting, years on the job, and which city the position is in.

Delaware's typical NP pay rose from $97,560 in 2015 to $131,040 in 2025, according to the same wage data tracked over the decade. That is a gain of $33,480, or a 34% rise over ten years. The increase did not happen every year; pay dipped slightly in 2020 and again in 2024 before recovering.

Nationally, NP pay rose 35% over the same decade, just ahead of Delaware's climb. The two tracked closely together for most of the ten years. For someone starting out now, the record shows pay has moved up steadily over time, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in Wilmington, where NPs typically earn $135,700 per year ($65.24 per hour), about 4% above the statewide figure. Delaware lists pay data for only two metro areas, Wilmington and Dover, so figures are fairly uniform across most of the state. Each city figure covers the full metro area around it, not just the city center.

Dover sits at the lower end, with NPs earning $122,930 per year ($59.10 per hour), leaving a $12,770 spread between the two cities. Wilmington also has by far the larger NP workforce, with 6,590 employed there compared to 190 in Dover. Wilmington's higher pay tracks its higher cost of living relative to Dover.

Delaware's neighbors show a wide range. New Jersey pays NPs the most in the area, with a typical $159,310 per year, about 22% higher than Delaware. Maryland is nearly even, at $131,110, while Pennsylvania sits about 1% lower, at $130,140. NP licenses are often eligible for endorsement into a neighboring state, so comparing pay across state lines is a realistic option for someone weighing a move.

NPs in Delaware typically earn $131,040 per year, or $63.00 an hour, a figure that has climbed 34% over the past decade according to the latest wage data. Pay varies little by city within the state, running highest in Wilmington and lowest in Dover, and lands slightly below the national figure overall. Anyone weighing a move or a new license should check Delaware's board of nursing for licensing requirements and review the city pages here for local pay detail.