Registered Nurses in Delaware. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Registered Nurse in Delaware earned $92,610 in 2024, about 2% below the national median of $94,511. That gap is small enough that it barely registers as a pay cut for most nurses crossing state lines.
The spread within the state tells a more interesting story. A nurse at the 10th percentile earned $72,850. One at the 90th earned $127,340. Top earners made roughly 75% more than their entry-level counterparts, which reflects how much experience, specialty certification, and setting shape pay in this field. A new grad in a general medical ward and a senior ICU nurse with 15 years in are technically the same occupation in BLS data.
Delaware's cost-of-living index sits at 100.5, almost exactly the national baseline. That means the nominal wage difference from the US median is close to the real difference too. There is no meaningful purchasing-power adjustment to make here. The $92,610 buys roughly the same as $92,610 anywhere in the country on average.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% from 2024 to 2034, which falls into the average outlook category. We use national projections here because BLS does not publish state-level growth figures for this occupation. Delaware's 13,260 employed nurses in 2024 puts it in the smaller end of state totals, consistent with the state's overall population size.
Salary distribution
Where Delaware registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $85,900 and $111,720, with a median of $99,520.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Delaware
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Delaware over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Delaware?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Delaware is $99,520.
- How does Delaware compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Delaware median is +1.2% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Delaware?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,340 and the 90th-percentile at $123,860, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.