Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Bear, DE: $31.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Bear, DE runs $31.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,343 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Bear's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,812 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected hourly rate of $31.90 in 2026, licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Bear, Delaware, is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This rate impacts part-time and per-diem workers significantly, allowing those working three days a week, for instance, to earn a reliable income while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. In diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and physician offices, entry-level practitioners can expect to start around $26.03 per hour, while experienced professionals may earn up to $37.73 per hour. These figures show the healthy potential for LPNs seeking employment in Bear, especially considering that many of the estimated hourly rates stem from annual salaries, reflecting the stability and demand for nursing professionals in the area.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.03 | $208.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.77 | $238.12 |
| Median (P50) | $31.90 | $255.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.05 | $288.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.73 | $301.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bear
Based on $31.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.90/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bear, DE can expect to earn approximately $66,353 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,280. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bear.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bear
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,276.01 | $5,529 | $66,353 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $765.61 | $3,318 | $39,812 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $510.40 | $2,212 | $26,541 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Bear) | $31.90 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bear, DE earn a median of $66,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $69,251.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.90/hr = $39,812/year (purchasing power: $39,146).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,353/year (purchasing power: $65,243).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Bear grew 35.6% from $22.25/hr (2019) to $30.18/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.72/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Bear
Part-time licensed practical nurses in Bear working a 24-hour week could expect to take home around $43,163 annually, a considerable amount compared to those in full-time positions. The per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Bear can range from approximately $28 to $42 per hour, with agency LPNs often commanding rates that can exceed $60 per hour in high-need situations. As hourly rates fluctuate across various employer types—skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and correctional facilities—LPNs face a trade-off between immediate financial gain and benefits such as health insurance. Those opting for higher rates without benefits must carefully weigh their options. When negotiating hourly wages, it's crucial for LPNs to consider local market conditions and articulate their value, especially given the growing need for skilled nursing staff in Bear, DE.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Bear. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bear is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov