Delaware's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Delaware is $15.00 an hour, $7.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $31,200 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $26,070 a year, or $1,002.68 every two weeks.
What the Delaware minimum wage pays
| At $15.00 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.00 |
| Per 8-hour day | $120.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $600.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,200.00 |
| Per month | $2,600.00 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $31,200.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,002.68 |
| Take-home per year | $26,069.68 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Delaware income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $15,600 a year and about $14,080 after taxes.
Delaware minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2025. No further increase is set in state law; if the federal minimum ever rises above it, the higher federal rate applies. | Delaware Code, Title 19, Chapter 9 (Minimum Wage) |
| Tipped workers | If you regularly earn tips, your employer may pay a cash wage as low as $2.23 an hour, but your tips plus that wage must reach the full $15.00 minimum. | Delaware Code, Title 19, Chapter 9 (Minimum Wage) |
| Overtime | Delaware has no daily overtime rule. Overtime follows federal law: 1.5 times your regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. The US Labor Department's state table lists no Delaware overtime premium. | US DOL, State Minimum Wage Laws |
How Delaware's minimum wage compares
Delaware has the 13th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska.
The typical (median) worker in Delaware earns $25.09 an hour, so the minimum wage is 60% of the median wage. 10% of Delaware workers earn less than $15.22 an hour and 25% less than $17.93 (BLS, May 2025, all 484,790 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Delaware, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $15.00 | 1,680 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $15.00 | 1,360 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $15.05 | 13,310 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $15.11 | 1,010 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $15.33 | 1,540 |
| Childcare Workers | $15.97 | 1,230 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $31,200 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $3,259 | $4,421 |
| 2 children | $5,777 | $7,308 |
| 3 children or more | $6,692 | $8,223 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $31,200 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $780 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,560. Source
Delaware minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Delaware?
$15.00 an hour.
How much is the Delaware minimum wage a year?
$31,200 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,600 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $26,070.
How much is the Delaware minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,002.68 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Delaware taxes.
Is Delaware's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the Delaware minimum wage?
$22.50 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10) · Florida minimum wage ($15.00) · Illinois minimum wage ($15.00) · Maryland minimum wage ($15.00) · Massachusetts minimum wage ($15.00) · Missouri minimum wage ($15.00) · Nebraska minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
Delaware paycheck calculator · $15 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.