Average salary in Delaware

4 mins readLast updated April 18, 2023by Kate Morgan

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. Whether you are already living in Delaware or considering moving there, understanding the state's financial landscape can be helpful.

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. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

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

Average salary in Delaware by county

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

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

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Delaware

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 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. 

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.  

Getting expert advice before you make significant financial decisions can really benefit you in the long term. Protect your financial future and speak to one of our financial advisors today.  

Content writer

Kate Morgan

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