Nurse Practitioner Salary in Delaware: $128,372 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $128,372/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $126,226 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($138,018), Newark ($133,681), Bear ($128,940).
As of 2026, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in Delaware stands at $128,371, which is approximately 6.2% lower than the national median of $136,864. Within the state, Wilmington offers the highest salaries, reaching $142,780, while Dover provides the lowest at $127,171, reflecting a difference of $15,609 between the two cities. This salary variance can be attributed to local demand for healthcare services, as Wilmington has a larger metropolitan area and healthcare facilities, boosting competition for qualified nurse practitioners. Delaware's nurse practitioners must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that facilitate autonomous practice, impacting salary potential. With 222 nurse practitioners currently employed in the state and a projected growth rate of 3.45% annually, the job market outlook is encouraging. The top cities, including Newark at $138,293 and Bear at $133,388, further illustrate the salary potential in urban settings where healthcare needs are typically higher. Understanding these dynamics is vital for nurse practitioners considering career opportunities in Delaware.
Delaware Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $85,708 (lowest entry-level) to $185,558 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware nurse practitioners earn 6.2% less than the national median ($-8,492/year difference).
Delaware Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Delaware range from $88,823 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $183,143 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $128,372. The Delaware median is $8,492 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $61.72/hr. Approximately 222 nurse practitioners are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$98,520
2025 BLS Actual
$124,090
2026 Current Est.
$128,372
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,056 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,372 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,800 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 26.0% from $98,520 (2019) to $124,090 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,800 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,280 (34.79%) 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 3.45% 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 |
|---|---|
| Dover | $127,171 |
| Middletown | $128,605 |
| Smyrna | $128,950 |
| Bear | $133,388 |
| Newark | $138,293 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $142,780 | 101.7 | $140,393 |
| Newark | $138,293 | 101.7 | $135,981 |
| Bear | $133,388 | 101.7 | $131,158 |
| Dover | $127,171 | 97.507 | $130,422 |
| Smyrna | $128,950 | 101.7 | $126,794 |
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) | $88,823 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $128,372 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $183,143 |
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 | $142,780 |
| 2 | Newark | $138,293 |
| 3 | Bear | $133,388 |
| 4 | Smyrna | $128,950 |
| 5 | Middletown | $128,605 |
| 6 | Dover | $127,171 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Delaware?
How does Delaware nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Delaware?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
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 3.45% 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 nurse practitioner compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute 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 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