Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Delaware: $228,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $228,347/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $224,530 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($242,614), Newark ($215,601), Dover ($215,045).

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Delaware are projected to earn an average median salary of $228,347, which is 8.3% lower than the national median of $248,893. The salary range across cities highlights the variability within the state, with Wilmington offering the highest salary at $255,230, while Middletown presents the lowest at $210,922, creating a gap of $44,308. This difference is largely driven by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and specific employment opportunities available in each area. Delaware has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence earning potential. Nurse anesthetists must meet educational and certification criteria, including a master's degree from an accredited program and national certification, which ensures a qualified workforce. The job market for nurse anesthetists is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.20%, indicating steady demand driven by an increasing emphasis on surgical procedures requiring anesthesia. Overall, cities like Newark and Dover are also showing promising salaries at $226,812 and $226,227, respectively, reflecting a healthy job outlook for this profession across the state.
Delaware Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $144,354 (lowest entry-level) to $355,610 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware nurse anesthetists earn 8.25% less than the national median ($-20,546/year difference).
Delaware Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Delaware range from $153,313 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $310,424 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $228,347. The Delaware median is $20,546 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $109.78/hr. Approximately 39 nurse anesthetists are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$160,361
2025 BLS Actual
$217,060
2026 Current Est.
$228,347
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $160,361 | Actual |
| 2020 | $168,426 | Actual |
| 2021 | $179,463 | Actual |
| 2022 | $186,325 | Actual |
| 2023 | $195,096 | Actual |
| 2024 | $215,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $217,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $228,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $240,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $160,361 (2019) to $217,060 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $240,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $79,860 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $210,922 |
| Smyrna | $211,489 |
| Bear | $218,768 |
| Dover | $226,227 |
| Newark | $226,812 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $255,230 | 101.7 | $250,964 |
| Newark | $226,812 | 101.7 | $223,021 |
| Dover | $226,227 | 101.7 | $222,445 |
| Bear | $218,768 | 101.7 | $215,111 |
| Smyrna | $211,489 | 101.7 | $207,954 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $153,313 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $228,347 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $310,424 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $255,230 |
| 2 | Newark | $226,812 |
| 3 | Dover | $226,227 |
| 4 | Bear | $218,768 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $211,489 |
| 6 | Middletown | $210,922 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Delaware?
How does Delaware nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Delaware?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov