Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Middletown, DE: $63,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Middletown, DE earns a median $63,963/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $62,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Licensed practical nurses in Middletown, Delaware, can expect a median annual salary of $63,963 in 2026, reflecting both local market conditions and the state's specific scope-of-practice rules, which include authority for procedures like IV therapy and patient assessments. The salary range for LPNs in the area varies significantly, spanning from $51,681 at the lower 10th percentile to $77,455 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences. Given the strong demand for LPNs in various settings, especially in long-term care, employment opportunities remain promising in Middletown, creating a competitive environment for both new and experienced nurses.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,681 | $24.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,963 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,211 | $35.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,455 | $37.24 |
Median Salary Position
6.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, DE, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,774 (2026 est.). At $63,963, the local median is 6.03% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Middletown median: $63,963/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $69,224 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.03% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Middletown, DE earn a median of $63,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $69,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,963 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,894 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,615
2025 BLS Actual
$60,514
2026 Current Est.
$63,963
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,169 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,324 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,126 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,615 (2019) to $60,514 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,994 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,681 – $59,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,310 – $63,963 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,963 – $73,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,211 – $77,455 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Middletown
The local job market features only six licensed practical nurses currently employed, suggesting a tight-knit community that could benefit from additional workforce growth. With a cost-of-living index of 101.7, nurses may find their salaries slightly less impactful in terms of purchasing power compared to some other regions. Among the top-paying employers in Middletown are skilled nursing facilities, as they often offer higher wages compared to home health and physician offices. Factors contributing to the salary range include the nature of the care setting, with skilled nursing typically providing the highest pay, as well as incentives like shift differentials, stipends for IV therapy certifications, and additional pay for working holidays and weekends. For LPNs aiming to maximize their earnings in Middletown, pursuing specialties and certifications can enhance career prospects, and actively seeking roles in long-term care settings will likely lead to better financial opportunities.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Middletown?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,514 for licensed practical nursesin the Middletown metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Middletown 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