Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Delaware: $65,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $65,998/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,895 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($71,918), Newark ($65,073), Bear ($62,765).
In Delaware, the projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $65,998, slightly below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of 3.0%. The highest-paying city in the state is Wilmington, where LPNs can expect to earn $76,017, while Middletown offers the lowest at $63,963. This salary disparity across cities can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and competition among employers for qualified staff. Delaware has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the role of LPNs within the healthcare system. The demand for LPNs is expected to grow, supported by an annual compound growth rate of 5.70% according to the latest projections. Key cities such as Newark ($68,782), Bear ($66,343), Dover ($65,682), and Smyrna ($64,135) are also contributing to the overall job market health in the state. With a total of 332 licensed practical nurses employed in Delaware, the outlook for this profession remains positive as the state’s healthcare needs evolve, creating opportunities for both new and experienced LPNs.
Delaware Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $51,681 (lowest entry-level) to $95,323 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware licensed practical nurses earn 3.05% less than the national median ($-2,073/year difference).
Delaware Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Delaware range from $54,969 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,318 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,998. The Delaware median is $2,073 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.73/hr. Approximately 332 licensed practical nurses are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,960
2025 BLS Actual
$62,439
2026 Current Est.
$65,998
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,675 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,439 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,759 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 22.5% from $50,960 (2019) to $62,439 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,759 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,799 (36.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $63,963 |
| Smyrna | $64,135 |
| Dover | $65,682 |
| Bear | $66,343 |
| Newark | $68,782 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $76,017 | 101.7 | $74,746 |
| Newark | $68,782 | 101.7 | $67,632 |
| Dover | $65,682 | 97.507 | $67,361 |
| Bear | $66,343 | 101.7 | $65,234 |
| Smyrna | $64,135 | 101.7 | $63,063 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,969 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,998 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,318 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $76,017 |
| 2 | Newark | $68,782 |
| 3 | Bear | $66,343 |
| 4 | Dover | $65,682 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $64,135 |
| 6 | Middletown | $63,963 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Delaware cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Delaware?
How does Delaware licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Delaware?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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