Registered Nurse Salary in Smyrna, DE: $96,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Smyrna, DE earns a median $96,789/year (≈ $46.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $95,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Smyrna, Delaware, are projected to reach a median annual income of $96,789, reflecting regional price adjustments and the specific dynamics of the local healthcare market. The salary range for registered nurses in Smyrna extends from $74,884 at the 10th percentile to $127,785 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance based on experience, specialty, and work shift. Those who take on night and weekend shifts often benefit from differential pay, with effective compensation boosted by premiums that can range from $3 to $7 per hour for night shifts and $3 to $5 for weekends. This local data, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost variables, showcases the financial opportunities within Smyrna's nursing sector, suggesting that strategic scheduling can enhance earnings for registered nurses working in this area.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,884 | $36.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,999 | $39.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,789 | $46.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,515 | $52.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,785 | $61.44 |
Median Salary Position
5.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, DE, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,901 (2026 est.). At $96,789, the local median is 5.78% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Smyrna Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $96,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $104,524 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -5.78% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Smyrna, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,789 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,171 — a 1.67% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$69,061
2025 BLS Actual
$91,909
2026 Current Est.
$96,789
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,974 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,113 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,523 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,085 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,909 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,929 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $69,061 (2019) to $91,909 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,868 (47.59%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,884 – $82,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,999 – $96,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,789 – $108,515 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,515 – $127,785 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Smyrna
The job market for registered nurses in Smyrna remains somewhat limited, with only five individuals currently employed in this crucial capacity. However, the local cost-of-living index, standing at 101.7, points to a slightly higher cost of living, which can impact take-home purchasing power for registered nurses. Employers offering higher compensation often include hospital systems, particularly those with acute care and ICU facilities, as well as surgical specialty centers and home health agencies. Variations in pay arise from factors such as shift differentials, specialty certifications, and responsibilities tied to roles as charge nurses or in magnet-status hospitals, which typically favor BSN-prepared nurses with additional certifications. For those aiming to maximize registered nurse pay in Smyrna, negotiating for night or weekend shifts, acquiring specialty certifications, and considering travel nursing options could lead to increased financial rewards in this evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Smyrna, DE in 2026?
Is Smyrna, DE a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Smyrna?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Smyrna?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $91,909 for registered nursesin the Smyrna metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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