MediaUpdated Q1 2026

Reporter Salary
in Wilmington, DE

Research and write news stories for print, digital, or broadcast media. Median salary in Wilmington: $52K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$52K
per year
Take-home: $33K

Salary range in Wilmington

Entry level (25th)$38,000
Median (50th)$52,000
Senior (75th)$73,000
Top earner (90th)$106,000
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

Reporters in Wilmington earn approximately 8% higher than the US national median for this role — a $4,000 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 49% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Wilmington ($1,350/mo) consumes approximately 49% of an after-tax median Reporter salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($73K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Slower wage growth (-2%/yr)

Reporter wages are growing at -2% year-over-year — slower than the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. Real wages may lag inflation in years where CPI exceeds this rate, so total compensation negotiation (bonus, equity, benefits) matters more than base salary growth for this role.

Key facts for Wilmington

Median salary
$52K
annual
Take-home pay
$33K
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%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Wilmington Reporter to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $52K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Wilmington

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

HistoricalProjected
Reporter salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$44K$48K$52K$55K$59K201920212023202520272029
2026
$53K
projected
2027
$55K
projected
2028
$56K
projected
2029
$57K
projected
2030
$59K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$52,000+$0
2028 projected$52,000+$0
2029 projected$52,000+$0
2030 projected$52,000+$0

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

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Reporter Salary in Wilmington, Delaware: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Reporter salary in Wilmington, DE is $52,000 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 Reporter in Wilmington

Entry-level Reporters in Wilmington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $38,000 and $52,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $52,000 to $73,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $73,000 to $106,000 or more.

Cost of living in Wilmington for Reporters

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 Reporter

Bachelor's in Journalism or Communications. 45% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Reporter salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Wilmington (current)$52K108
Dover$48K100