Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Wilmington, DE: $36.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Wilmington, DE runs $36.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,017 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,616 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Wilmington, DE, is projected at $36.55 for 2026, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $32.73. This competitive rate is beneficial for part-time nurses who may work three days a week, indicating a viable earning potential even in reduced hours. Typically, LPNs find employment in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, physician offices, hospice care, correctional facilities, and medication rooms in assisted living communities. The hourly wage for these professionals in Wilmington varies, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $27.89 and top earners reaching up to $45.83. These figures are informed by broader annual salary data, reflecting the market’s favorable conditions for practical nursing.
About the Wilmington 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) | $27.89 | $223.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.96 | $263.66 |
| Median (P50) | $36.55 | $292.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.50 | $340.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.83 | $366.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $36.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.55/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, DE can expect to earn approximately $76,026 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,861. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,462.04 | $6,336 | $76,026 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $877.23 | $3,801 | $45,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.82 | $2,534 | $30,410 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Wilmington) | $36.55 |
| 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 Wilmington, DE earn a median of $76,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.67% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 9.80% above the Delaware state average of $69,233.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.55/hr = $45,616/year (purchasing power: $44,853).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,026/year (purchasing power: $74,755).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Wilmington grew 35.6% from $25.49/hr (2019) to $34.58/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.63/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
For those considering part-time opportunities, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours weekly could expect to bring home around $45,194 annually. In contrast, full-time LPNs earning a full 40-hour week enjoy substantially higher income averages. Furthermore, the per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Wilmington ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, with some agency roles at nursing facilities able to command up to $45-$60 per hour due to staffing shortages. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates; skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offer lower compensation compared to hospital settings, but may provide critical health benefits, making them attractive despite a lower hourly rate. When negotiating pay, LPNs should emphasize their unique skills and flexibility, especially in high-demand environments, to secure better compensation for their services. Understanding the nuances of employer types and the associated trade-offs of wages and benefits can guide practical nurses toward optimal career decisions in Wilmington.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Wilmington?
Are licensed practical nurses in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Wilmington?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
Related Pages
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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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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