Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $46.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Dover, DE runs $46.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,894 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Dover, Delaware, can expect an average hourly pay of $46.39, which is slightly below the national median of $49.39. This rate reflects the financial landscape for various nursing positions within the area, influencing both full-time and part-time employment opportunities. Part-time nurses working three days a week can still earn competitive wages, especially in specialized environments such as ICU units, emergency departments, and outpatient facilities. The hourly range for RNs in Dover spans from $38.64 for entry-level positions up to $61.26 for the most experienced practitioners, showcasing the potential earnings across the career spectrum based on skills, certifications, and areas of expertise. This data is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.64 | $309.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.93 | $335.48 |
| Median (P50) | $46.39 | $371.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.91 | $439.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.26 | $490.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $46.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.39/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $96,489 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,667. 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) | $1,855.56 | $8,041 | $96,489 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,113.34 | $4,824 | $57,894 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $742.22 | $3,216 | $38,596 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Dover) | $46.39 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Dover, DE earn a median of $96,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $104,421.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.39/hr = $57,894/year (purchasing power: $59,374).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,489/year (purchasing power: $98,956).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Dover grew 31.1% from $33.61/hr (2019) to $44.05/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses 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 5.31% 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 Registered Nurse in Dover
For those considering part-time roles, a registered nurse working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home an annual income indicative of the higher hourly rates associated with full-time positions. Per diem registered nurses in Dover often command rates of $50 to $80 per hour, depending on the type of care they provide and their level of specialty. Additionally, travel nurse contracts during times of heightened demand can yield weekly earnings ranging from $2,000 to $4,500, with crisis-rate roles in intensive care boasting even higher compensation. Various employer types in Dover, including acute care hospitals and ambulatory clinics, offer differing compensation structures; for some, the assurance of benefits like health insurance may prompt nurses to accept slightly lower wages. For those working as agency or per diem nurses, effectively negotiating hourly rates can enhance overall earnings, especially given the current competitive environment for healthcare professionals. Understanding the specifics of pay structures and possible benefits can be essential for registered nurses navigating their career paths in Dover.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Dover in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in Dover?
Are registered nurses in Dover paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time registered nurse make per year in Dover?
Do registered nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Dover?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses 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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov