Delaware Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Delaware, OH: $23.16/hr median hourly wage, $48,181 median annual salary, cost of living index 81.1, and $10.45/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Ohio taxes.
Delaware Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Delaware, OH is $23.16/hr, equivalent to $48,181 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.36/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $32.89/hr, and the local minimum wage is $10.45/hr.
Median Salary
$48,181
$23.16/hr
Cost of Living
81.1
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$10.45
per hour
Unemployment
4.2%
rate
Delaware, OH Overview
Population
41,555
Median Salary
$48,181
Average Salary
$53,963
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$173,000
Median Rent
$713/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
5.75%
Delaware is located in Ohio with a population of 41,555. The median household salary is $48,181 per year ($23.16/hour), which is $11,203 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Delaware Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Delaware, OH based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $48,181 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $29,872 | $14.36/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $48,181 | $23.16/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $68,417 | $32.89/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $85,762 | $41.22/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Delaware Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Delaware, OH, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$38,542
$3,211.85/month · $1,482.39/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.0%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,482.39 take-home per paycheck after estimated Ohio and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$48,181
Federal Tax
-$3,602
State Tax
-$1,686
Local Tax
-$665
FICA
-$3,686
Net Pay
$38,542
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,015.08 | $48,181.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$300.14 | -$3,601.72 |
| Ohio State Tax (3.5%) | -$140.53 | -$1,686.34 |
| Local Tax (1.38%) | -$55.41 | -$664.90 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$248.94 | -$2,987.22 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.22 | -$698.62 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,211.85 | $38,542.20 |
Salary Comparison: Delaware vs Other Cities
See how Delaware's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware, OH | $48,181 | 81.1 | $59,409 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Addison, IL | $48,173 | 92.7 | $51,967 |
| Sunrise, FL | $48,190 | 95.2 | $50,620 |
| Wauwatosa, WI | $48,192 | 85.7 | $56,233 |
| Downers Grove, IL | $48,194 | 84.3 | $57,170 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Delaware
Delaware's cost of living index is 81.1 (national average = 100). Living in Delaware is 18.900000000000006% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$173,000
Median Monthly Rent
$713
Annual Rent Cost
$8,556
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $38,542 annual take-home pay in Delaware has the purchasing power of approximately $47,524 in an average-cost US area. Your $48,181 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Delaware
Delaware's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $48,181.
Salary Tips for Delaware Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Delaware has a cost of living 18.900000000000006% below the national average. A salary of $48,181 here has the purchasing power of about $59,409 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Delaware's top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $48,181 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Delaware salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Delaware-OH metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Delaware indexed at 81.1.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Delaware's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $48,181 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Ohio state income tax (3.5%), plus Delaware local tax of 1.38%, sales tax (5.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Delaware: 4.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Ohio.
- Housing context: median home price $173,000, median rent $713/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Delaware, OH:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Delaware unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Delaware QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Ohio — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Delaware's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Ohio labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Delaware, OH?
The median hourly wage in Delaware, OH is $23.16 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $48,181 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.36/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $32.89/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Delaware, OH?
The median salary in Delaware, OH is $48,181 per year, or $23.16 per hour. The average salary is $53,963. This is $11,203 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Delaware, OH?
Delaware's cost of living index is 81.1 (national average = 100), meaning it is 18.900000000000006% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $173,000 and the median monthly rent is $713.
What are the best industries in Delaware?
The top industries in Delaware, OH include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $48,181.
How does Delaware's salary compare to other cities?
Delaware's median salary of $48,181 is 18.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 81.1), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,409.
What is the minimum wage in Delaware, OH?
The minimum wage in Delaware, OH is $10.45 per hour. This equals approximately $21,736 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $3.20 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.