What is the average salary in Delaware?

2 mins readLast updated December 7, 2023by Kate Morgan

This article will take you through the main things you need to know about the average salaries and highest paying counties in Delaware.

Summary

  • The state of Delaware is a small but wealthy state with a diverse economy. Its small size allows for a more manageable cost of living, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking a high quality of life.

  • According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Delaware has an average cost of living that is slightly above the national average. However, it is still considered one of the more affordable states on the East Coast.

  • Due to the state's size, salaries may not vary as much as they do in larger states, but there are still notable differences between different counties.

  • A financial advisor can help you stay on top of your finances and make confident financial decisions.

What is a good salary in Delaware? 

The median income in Delaware is $66,706. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors, and these should be taken into account. For example, $100,000 may be considered a 'good' salary in certain areas of Delaware, while it may be insufficient to cover living expenses in other areas. 

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What is the average salary in Delaware by age? 

Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Delaware are also dependent on age since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.  

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $45,042; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $72,998; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $80,739; and those 65 and older have a median income of $53,874.  

What is the average salary in Delaware by hour? 

If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year — at 37.5 hours a week — then the average hourly salary in Delaware is $25.08.  

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What is the average salary by city in Delaware?

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Delaware’s own cities can vary massively in average salary; cities like Hockessin and Townsend command well into six figures, while Wilmington’s average sits below $40,000.  

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Delaware, which you can find ranked below.  

CityAverage earnings
North Star $149,205
Hockessin $121,432
Pike Creek $113,456
Glasgow $86,879
Middletown $83,701
Pike Creek Valley $73,149
Bear $60,647
Brookside $58,470
Newark $53,125
Smyrna $52,243
Dover $45,660
Wilmington $38,979

What is the average salary by country in Delaware?

Reviewing average salaries in Delaware by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Delaware by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.  

County Average household income
New Castle County $64,754
Kent County $50,644
Sussex County $47,611

What are the highest paying jobs in Delaware?

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Delaware: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by job title. You can also find the top 10 highest-paying titles in Delaware below.  

Occupation Average salary
Finance Services Director $237,778
Chief Medical Officer $213,587
Primary Care Pediatrician $203,986
Medical Director $203,641
Associate Medical Director $201,183
Staff Physician $199,902
President & Chief Operating Officer $193,530
Medical Consultant $188,286
President of Operations $187,518
Senior Vice President, Sales $184,092

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Content writer

Kate Morgan

Kate has written for leading publications and blue chip companies over the last 20 years.

Want to make your salary go further?

A financial advisor can help you develop a financial plan to meet your goals.