Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $61.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Dover, DE runs $61.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,301 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dover, DE, nurse practitioners earn a median hourly pay of $61.14, which is slightly below the national median of $65.80. This hourly rate is particularly significant for part-time or per-diem nurse practitioners working in various settings such as primary care exam rooms, hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care, retail clinics, and telehealth services. With the hourly range falling between $41.20 at the entry level and up to $89.22 for top earners, this profession offers a clear financial pathway for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners. For those considering flexible work arrangements, understanding these figures is essential as they navigate their opportunities in the local healthcare market, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.20 | $329.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.97 | $391.79 |
| Median (P50) | $61.14 | $489.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.61 | $596.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.22 | $713.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $61.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.14/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $127,169 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,367. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,445.56 | $10,597 | $127,169 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,467.33 | $6,358 | $76,301 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $978.22 | $4,239 | $50,868 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Dover) | $61.14 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Dover, DE earn a median of $127,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.08% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 8.60% below the Delaware state average of $139,137.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.14/hr = $76,301/year (purchasing power: $78,252).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,169/year (purchasing power: $130,420).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Dover grew 24.8% from $47.37/hr (2019) to $59.10/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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 3.45% 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 Nurse Practitioner in Dover
Exploring part-time potential, a nurse practitioner working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could expect their annual take-home pay to be considerably less than a full-time counterpart, yet still substantial for a balanced lifestyle. Moreover, per diem and locum tenens positions present a different earning scenario, with some NPs billing upwards of $80-$140 per hour depending on their specialization, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners often reach $150-$200 per hour, particularly in telehealth roles. The hourly rates readily vary depending on employer types throughout Dover—from independent practices to larger urgent care chains and 1099 locum arrangements—highlighting the diverse landscape of compensation in this field. Practitioners may find themselves deciding between lower hourly wages with benefits or higher rates without them, making negotiation skills crucial in securing favorable terms. Understanding local market trends and gathering insights from peers can enhance their approach during discussions about nurse practitioner hourly pay in Dover.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Dover in 2026?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
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 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Dover. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov