Police Officer Salary in Wilmington, DE: $93,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wilmington, DE earns a median $93,898/year (≈ $45.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $92,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Wilmington, Delaware's police officer salary median reaches $93,898 in 2026, outpacing the national median of $78,542 by approximately 19.55%. The projected annual pay range for officers in Wilmington spans from $57,690 at the 10th percentile to $137,925 at the 90th percentile. Notably, many officers increase their earnings through mandatory overtime for court appearances and special details, which significantly enhances their overall compensation package. Figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting a competitive salary structure given the state and national context. The job market for police officers in Wilmington remains robust, supporting a diverse and skilled workforce in law enforcement.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,690 | $27.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,712 | $34.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,898 | $45.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,608 | $57.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,925 | $66.31 |
Median Salary Position
19.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,235 (2026 est.). At $93,898, the local median is 19.55% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Police Officer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $93,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $92,328 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +19.55% more |
Police Officers in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $93,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.55% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% above the Delaware state average of $92,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,898 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,328 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,497
2025 BLS Actual
$91,110
2026 Current Est.
$93,898
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,354 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,412 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $75,497 (2019) to $91,110 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,274 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,690 – $71,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,712 – $93,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,898 – $118,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,608 – $137,925 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wilmington
With only 10 police officers currently employed in Wilmington, the local job market's strength is limited yet stable, creating a unique environment for those looking into a police officer career in this area. The cost of living index of 101.7 indicates that Wilmington is slightly above the national average, meaning officers must consider the real purchasing power of their salaries. Among different employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive compensation compared to county and state agencies. Factors contributing to the salary disparity in Wilmington include agency type, union contract provisions, and overtime structures tied to specialized roles such as SWAT or K-9 units. To maximize police officer pay in Wilmington DE, individuals should actively seek out assignments that offer premium overtime rates and educational incentives. Engaging with labor organizations like FOP can also enhance job negotiations for better pay and retirement benefits.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $91,110 for police officersin the Wilmington metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilmington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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