Firefighter Salary in Wilmington, DE — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Wilmington's cost of living (index: 103). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Firefighter Salary in Wilmington — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Wilmington
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Wilmington
Wilmington has a metro population of 740,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Wilmington
Other Professions in Wilmington
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Firefighter make in Wilmington, DE?
The estimated median salary for a Firefighter in Wilmington is $62,490 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $60,670 adjusted by Wilmington's cost of living index (103). The typical salary range runs from $43,559 (25th percentile) to $88,168 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $115,813.
Is Wilmington affordable for a Firefighter?
On a $62,490 annual salary, a Firefighter in Wilmington would spend approximately 25.9% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,350/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Wilmington relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $295,000 is 4.7× the annual salary.
How does a Firefighter's salary compare to Wilmington's overall income?
Wilmington's median household income is $68,800. A Firefighter earning the city-adjusted median of $62,490 earns 9.2% less than the typical Wilmington household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Wilmington has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.