How Much Does an RN Make in Delaware in 2026?

A typical RN in Delaware earns about $47.85 per hour ($99,520 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $8,293 a month and $1,914 a week, figures calculated from the annual median. Pay varies by city, setting, and experience, but this figure anchors what most working RNs in the state bring home.

Delaware's typical RN pay runs 2% above the national figures of $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour), per the same May 2025 data. That ranks the state 17th among the 51 states tracked. Roughly 14,290 RNs work in Delaware, a workforce size that gives the figure real weight across hospitals, clinics, and other care settings.

Entry-level positions for RNs in Delaware typically offer around $37.66 per hour ($78,340 per year), according to the same wage data. Pay tends to rise from there as nurses gain experience and move into higher-acuity roles. Within a few years, many reach the typical pay level of $47.85 per hour, and beyond that, wages continue climbing with tenure and specialization.

Experienced RNs in Delaware often earn upwards of $53.71 per hour ($111,720 per year), and the top 10% of earners make over $59.55 per hour ($123,860 per year). That leaves a spread of $45,520 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years on the job, and city all factor into where an individual nurse lands within that range.

Delaware RN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. Typical pay stood at $71,060 in 2015 and reached $99,520 by 2025, a gain of $28,460. That marks a 40% rise over ten years, according to the wage data trend.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, a bit faster than Delaware's climb. Pay has moved up steadily for RNs in the state, though past trends don't guarantee future gains. Someone starting an RN career in Delaware today enters a field where pay has grown noticeably over the past decade.

RN pay runs highest in Wilmington, where the typical rate reaches $101,180 per year ($48.64 per hour), about 2% above the statewide figure. These figures cover the full Wilmington metro area, not just the city itself. Wilmington is also home to the largest RN workforce in the state, with 73,790 nurses working across the metro area.

Dover pays less by comparison, with typical RN pay at $91,620 per year ($44.05 per hour). That leaves a spread of $9,560 between Delaware's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Lower pay in Dover tends to track a lower cost of living compared with Wilmington, so the gap doesn't necessarily mean fewer opportunities for nurses there.

Delaware's neighbors show a mixed picture. New Jersey pays RNs the most nearby, with typical pay of $106,500 a year, about 7% higher than Delaware. Maryland runs almost even, at $99,790, while Pennsylvania pays somewhat less, at $96,430, about 3% below Delaware. Nursing licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, so location choices don't have to mean starting the licensing process over.

RN pay in Delaware currently sits at $99,520 a year ($47.85 an hour). That's up 40% over the past decade, from $71,060 in 2015. Readers considering a nursing career in Delaware can check the state board of nursing's licensing requirements and review city-level pages for Wilmington and Dover to see how local pay compares before deciding where to work.