Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $31.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Dover, DE runs $31.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,682 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,416 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dover, Delaware, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $31.58, slightly below the national median of $32.73. This rate is reflective of the diverse environments in which LPNs operate, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices. For part-time and per-diem LPNs, who often work flexibly three days a week or on a contract basis, the hourly compensation offers a viable income stream while accommodating varied schedules. The hourly range for this profession spans from approximately $26.42 for entry-level positions to around $36.80 for more experienced nurses. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, emphasize how compensation levels in Dover reflect both the demand for LPNs and the local cost of living index, which is slightly below the national average.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.42 | $211.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.59 | $220.70 |
| Median (P50) | $31.58 | $252.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.80 | $270.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.80 | $294.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $31.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.58/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $65,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,900. 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) | $1,263.33 | $5,474 | $65,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.00 | $3,285 | $39,416 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.33 | $2,190 | $26,277 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Dover) | $31.58 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Dover, DE earn a median of $65,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.10% below the Delaware state average of $69,212.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.58/hr = $39,416/year (purchasing power: $40,424).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,693/year (purchasing power: $67,373).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Dover grew 22.0% from $24.50/hr (2019) to $29.88/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical 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 5.70% 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 Licensed Practical Nurse in Dover
Examining the earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses in Dover, those working 24 hours a week could see a substantial annual income, particularly when compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Dover varies significantly, with LPNs typically billing between $28 and $42 per hour; for agency LPNs at facilities facing staffing shortages, rates can even reach $45 to $60. Different employer types offer various compensation structures, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies often providing more competitive hourly rates while also factoring in benefits. Some LPNs opt for lower pay to secure health coverage, while others pursue higher hourly contracts without benefits. For those interested in negotiating their hourly rate, understanding the specific demands of potential employers and the local market can lead to better financial outcomes in Dover.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
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 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov