GovernmentUpdated Q1 2026

Police Officer Salary
in Wilmington, DE

Enforce laws, investigate crimes, and maintain public order and safety. Median salary in Wilmington: $70K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$70K
per year
Take-home: $45K

Salary range in Wilmington

Entry level (25th)$52,000
Median (50th)$70,000
Senior (75th)$95,000
Top earner (90th)$124,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Wilmington, Delaware. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Wilmington

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

8% premium vs national median

Police Officers in Wilmington earn approximately 8% higher than the US national median for this role — a $5,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Wilmington's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Rent eats 36% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Wilmington ($1,350/mo) consumes approximately 36% of an after-tax median Police Officer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($95K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 0% of Police Officer positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Wilmington salary above represents what local employers actually pay — not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Wilmington

Median salary
$70K
annual
Take-home pay
$45K
after fed/state tax
COL index
108
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.6%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,350
per month
YoY growth
+2.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Wilmington Police Officer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $70K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Wilmington

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Police Officer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$59K$64K$69K$74K$79K201920212023202520272029
2026
$72K
projected
2027
$74K
projected
2028
$75K
projected
2029
$77K
projected
2030
$79K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$70,000+$0
2028 projected$70,000+$0
2029 projected$70,000+$0
2030 projected$70,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Police Officer Salary in Wilmington, Delaware: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Police Officer salary in Wilmington, DE is $70,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Wilmington–DE metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Police Officer in Wilmington

Entry-level Police Officers in Wilmington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $52,000 and $70,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $70,000 to $95,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $95,000 to $124,000 or more.

Cost of living in Wilmington for Police Officers

Wilmington has a cost of living index of 108 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Wilmington are close to the national average. Delaware has a 6.6% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Police Officer

Police academy; civil service exam. 0% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Police Officer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Wilmington (current)$70K108
Dover$65K100