Lawyer Salary in Delaware: $162,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $162,778/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $160,057 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($173,575), Newark ($154,497), Dover ($154,099).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in Delaware is projected to be $162,778, which is slightly below the national median of $167,174, reflecting a difference of 2.6%. The highest-paying city in the state is Wilmington, where lawyers can expect to earn approximately $181,733, while Middletown offers the lowest salaries at $150,426. This salary gap, approximately $31,307, can be attributed to factors such as regional demand, the concentration of firms, and the complexity of legal work in urban versus suburban areas. Delaware's specific licensing requirements include passing the Bar Exam and a character and fitness evaluation, which can influence entry into the job market. The demand for legal services in the state is driven by the concentration of corporations, particularly in Wilmington, as it is a leading incorporation hub in the U.S. The total number of employed lawyers is projected at 39, with a positive outlook reflected in an annual growth rate of 4.70%. Other prominent cities for legal work include Newark at $161,758 and Dover at $161,342, indicating healthy opportunities across various regions in the state. Understanding the landscape and projections can help guide prospective lawyers in their career decisions.
Delaware Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $87,247 (lowest entry-level) to $281,686 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware lawyers earn 2.63% less than the national median ($-4,396/year difference).
Delaware Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Delaware range from $94,411 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $252,306 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $162,778. The Delaware median is $4,396 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $78.26/hr. Approximately 39 lawyers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$119,726
2025 BLS Actual
$155,471
2026 Current Est.
$162,778
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,592 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,624 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,187 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,471 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,429 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $119,726 (2019) to $155,471 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,429 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,703 (42.35%) 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 4.70% 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 | $150,426 |
| Smyrna | $150,830 |
| Bear | $156,021 |
| Dover | $161,342 |
| Newark | $161,758 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $181,733 | 101.7 | $178,695 |
| Newark | $161,758 | 101.7 | $159,054 |
| Dover | $161,342 | 101.7 | $158,645 |
| Bear | $156,021 | 101.7 | $153,413 |
| Smyrna | $150,830 | 101.7 | $148,309 |
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) | $94,411 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $162,778 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $252,306 |
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 | $181,733 |
| 2 | Newark | $161,758 |
| 3 | Dover | $161,342 |
| 4 | Bear | $156,021 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $150,830 |
| 6 | Middletown | $150,426 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
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 4.70% 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 lawyer compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute 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, 3-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 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov