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Police Officer 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.

Police Officer Salary in Wilmington — Key Numbers

$74,448
Median Salary
$56,475
25th Percentile
$100,549
75th Percentile
$128,441
90th Percentile
National median (Police Officer)$72,280
vs. National median+3.0%
Wilmington median household income$68,800
vs. City household income+8.2%

Cost of Living in Wilmington

Cost of Living Index
103(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,350/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio21.8%
Annual rent cost$16,200
Median Home Price$295,000
Home Price / Salary4.0×
20% Down Payment$59,000
Years to save (20% rate)4.0 yrs

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

4.4%
Unemployment Rate
740,000
Metro Population
25 min
Avg Commute
37.2
Median Age

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

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Cost of Living — Wilmington
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Police Officer Salary in Delaware
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Wilmington

Physician$236,179Chief Executive Officer$216,300Dentist$180,775IT Manager$174,595Marketing Manager$162,349Lawyer$150,133

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Police Officer make in Wilmington, DE?

The estimated median salary for a Police Officer in Wilmington is $74,448 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $72,280 adjusted by Wilmington's cost of living index (103). The typical salary range runs from $56,475 (25th percentile) to $100,549 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $128,441.

Is Wilmington affordable for a Police Officer?

On a $74,448 annual salary, a Police Officer in Wilmington would spend approximately 21.8% 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 4.0× the annual salary.

How does a Police Officer's salary compare to Wilmington's overall income?

Wilmington's median household income is $68,800. A Police Officer earning the city-adjusted median of $74,448 earns 8.2% more than the typical Wilmington household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Police Officer — NationalPolice Officer in DelawareAll Salary Guides

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.