Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Smyrna, DE: $46.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Smyrna, DE runs $46.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,789 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,078 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Smyrna, Delaware can expect an estimated median hourly pay of $46.54 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49.39 per hour. This hourly rate is advantageous for both part-time and per-diem workers, allowing for a flexible work schedule typically found in hospital settings, outpatient clinics, or home health visits. For instance, a registered nurse working full-time across three twelve-hour shifts weekly can earn a substantial income, while those in per-diem roles can take advantage of varied opportunities across different specialties, often earning significantly more depending on demand. Entry-level positions may start as low as $36.01 per hour, while experienced nurses and those in specialized areas can earn upwards of $61.44 per hour.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.01 | $288.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.90 | $319.22 |
| Median (P50) | $46.54 | $372.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.17 | $417.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.44 | $491.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $46.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.54/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, DE can expect to earn approximately $96,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,844. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,861.46 | $8,066 | $96,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,116.88 | $4,840 | $58,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $744.58 | $3,227 | $38,718 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Smyrna) | $46.54 |
| 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 Smyrna, DE earn a median of $96,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $104,524.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.54/hr = $58,078/year (purchasing power: $57,107).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,796/year (purchasing power: $95,178).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Smyrna grew 33.1% from $33.20/hr (2019) to $44.19/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.01/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
For registered nurses considering part-time roles in Smyrna, a typical 3-day work week—amounting to approximately 24 hours—translates into an annual take-home pay that reflects their chosen schedule, offering flexibility along with a decent income. Per-diem registered nurse pay in Smyrna often exceeds the standard hourly rates, with many billing between $50 and $80 per hour based on specialty. Additionally, travel nurse contracts can be highly lucrative, with weekly pay ranging from $2,000 to $4,500, and even higher during crisis periods, particularly in intensive care settings where compensation could reach $5,000 to $8,000 weekly. Hourly pay can vary substantially across employer types, with hospitals generally offering stable wages and benefits, while agencies may provide higher hourly rates without benefits—which can influence the choices of health professionals. Effective negotiation, especially in the context of hourly jobs, often entails assessing the total compensation package, including potential health insurance and other benefits, against higher hourly offerings from agency work.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Smyrna in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in Smyrna?
Are registered nurses in Smyrna paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time registered nurse make per year in Smyrna?
Do registered nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Smyrna?
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 Smyrna. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Smyrna 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 5.31%, 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