Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wilmington, DE: $255,230 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wilmington, DE earns a median $255,230/year (≈ $122.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $250,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilmington, Delaware, the expected median annual compensation for nurse anesthetists is projected to reach $255,230 in 2026, representing a competitive increase compared to the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this occupation is quite broad, spanning from $165,179 at the 10th percentile to $355,610 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflect the local market dynamics and variations in job responsibilities. The notable disparity in pay can often be traced to the call-coverage obligations that nurse anesthetists undertake, along with factors unique to Wilmington's healthcare landscape.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $165,179 | $79.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $219,379 | $105.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $255,230 | $122.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $313,069 | $150.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $355,610 | $170.97 |
Median Salary Position
2.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $190,431 (2026 est.). At $255,230, the local median is 2.55% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $255,230/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $250,964 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +2.55% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $255,230 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.55% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 1.70% above the Delaware state average of $250,964.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $255,230 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $250,964 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$179,240
2025 BLS Actual
$242,614
2026 Current Est.
$255,230
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $179,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $188,254 | Actual |
| 2021 | $200,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $208,261 | Actual |
| 2023 | $218,064 | Actual |
| 2024 | $223,238 | Actual |
| 2025 | $242,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $255,230 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $268,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $179,240 (2019) to $242,614 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $268,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $89,262 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $165,179 – $219,379 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $219,379 – $255,230 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $255,230 – $313,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $313,069 – $355,610 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wilmington
With only ten nurse anesthetists employed in the Wilmington area, job competition can be limited, yet this also offers specialists the chance to negotiate favorable terms. The local cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 101.7, which influences the take-home pay and overall purchasing power of CRNAs in the region. The highest-paying roles typically come from established hospital systems, specialized ambulatory surgery centers, or CRNA-owned practices, each presenting unique compensation structures. Salary variability often hinges on call rotations, holiday shifts, and the operational efficiency of the hiring entity. For CRNAs in Wilmington, maximizing potential earnings may involve seeking positions with structured bonuses or partnership opportunities in group practices, as well as evaluating the tax implications of 1099 versus W-2 employment status.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Wilmington, DE in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Wilmington?
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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
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 $242,614 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wilmington metropolitan area. A 5.20% 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 Wilmington 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 5.20%, 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