Operating Room Wilmington, DE High Demand

OR Travel Nurse Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Wilmington.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (OR)

$49/hr

Wilmington, DE

Total Weekly Package

$3,278

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,680

After ~30.6% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: OR in Wilmington

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+2,637/mo

Stipend covers rent

#18

Delaware OR Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,955

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,323

Annual Potential

$101,655

Tax estimate: 6.6% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your OR Pay in Wilmington

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Wilmington's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Delaware ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate30.6%
Federal: 24%
State: 6.6%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 6.6% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in DE.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$529

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,487

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$32,334

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$64,668

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$129,336

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,487

per week

Taxes

$529

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Delaware

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,537

Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Wilmington:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Delaware

Monthly Net Income:$10,770
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,670

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:102.3

National average = 100. Delaware's cost of living is higher than the national average by 2.3 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Wilmington

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in Wilmington. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$120/night

$840/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,323

Tax-free stipend ceiling

Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.

Requirements for OR Travel Nurses in Delaware

OR Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 2+ years OR experience
  • CNOR preferred

Delaware Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $250
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 6.6%

Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Wilmington

  • Wilmington Regional Medical
  • Wilmington General Hospital
  • Community Health Wilmington

Other Specialties in Wilmington

View full Wilmington pay guide →

Other Delaware Cities for OR Travel Nurses

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Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do OR travel nurses make in Wilmington?

Operating Room travel nurses in Wilmington earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,955/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,278. Annual potential is $101,655 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Wilmington?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Wilmington are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Wilmington affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Wilmington is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Delaware assignments?

Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Delaware specifically: Delaware is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Wilmington without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Wilmington hire OR travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Wilmington that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: Wilmington Regional Medical, Wilmington General Hospital, Community Health Wilmington. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Wilmington.

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Resources for Wilmington