RN Salary in Delaware: $99,520 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Delaware earn a median of $99,520 per year — $47.85 an hour — $1,970 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #17 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Delaware RNs earn between $78,340 and $123,860. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Delaware RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Delaware RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Delaware With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Delaware side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Delaware | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $99,520 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $47.85/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $78,340 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $111,720 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $123,860 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 14,290 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Delaware has 14 board-approved nursing programs across 8 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Delaware?
RNs in Delaware earn a median of $99,520 per year — $47.85 per hour — $1,970 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Delaware #17 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Delaware?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Delaware, the 10th percentile is $78,340 and the 25th percentile is $85,900. Most RNs move toward the $99,520 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Delaware earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Delaware earn above $123,860 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Delaware?
14,290 registered nurses are employed in Delaware per the BLS May 2025 estimates.