Police Officer Salary in Delaware: $76,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $76,513/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,234 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($91,110), Newark ($70,840), Dover ($70,658).
In Delaware, police officer salaries in 2026 reflect a median of $76,513, which is approximately 2.6% lower than the national median of $78,542. The difference in compensation is evident across various cities, with Wilmington offering the highest salary at $93,898, whereas Middletown provides the lowest at $67,893. This $25,005 gap is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, regional crime rates, and the presence of law enforcement programs. Delaware requires specific licensing for police officers, including completion of a state-approved training academy and adherence to the Delaware Council on Police Training standards. Demand for law enforcement roles is driven by population growth and public safety needs, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.06% in this sector. Key cities with projected salaries include Newark at $73,008, Dover at $72,820, Bear at $70,419, and Smyrna at $68,075. Overall, the job market outlook for police officers in Delaware is stable, with opportunities continuing to rise, particularly in urban areas where community safety concerns are paramount.
Delaware Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $44,097 (lowest entry-level) to $137,925 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware police officers earn 2.58% less than the national median ($-2,029/year difference).
Delaware Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Delaware range from $48,704 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $109,714 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,513. The Delaware median is $2,029 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $36.78/hr. Approximately 39 police officers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,350
2025 BLS Actual
$74,241
2026 Current Est.
$76,513
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,098 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 1.2% from $73,350 (2019) to $74,241 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,504 (7.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $67,893 |
| Smyrna | $68,075 |
| Bear | $70,419 |
| Dover | $72,820 |
| Newark | $73,008 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $93,898 | 101.7 | $92,328 |
| Newark | $73,008 | 101.7 | $71,788 |
| Dover | $72,820 | 101.7 | $71,603 |
| Bear | $70,419 | 101.7 | $69,242 |
| Smyrna | $68,075 | 101.7 | $66,937 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,704 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,513 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $109,714 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $93,898 |
| 2 | Newark | $73,008 |
| 3 | Dover | $72,820 |
| 4 | Bear | $70,419 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $68,075 |
| 6 | Middletown | $67,893 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Delaware?
How does Delaware police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Delaware?
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Which Delaware city offers the best value for police officers?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov