Paralegal Salary in Delaware: $61,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $61,594/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,564 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($71,633), Newark ($63,547), Bear ($61,293).
The projected average median salary for paralegals in Delaware for 2026 is $61,594, which is 5.4% lower than the national median of $65,097. Wilmington leads the state with salaries reaching $74,147, while Dover offers the lowest average at $60,895, resulting in a salary gap of $13,252 between these two cities. This difference can be attributed to factors like the concentration of law firms and corporate legal departments in Wilmington, which drive demand and salaries higher compared to other areas. Delaware's legal market has specific requirements that affect paralegal salaries, including no formal licensing requirements; however, paralegals may pursue certification to enhance job prospects. The scope of practice laws are also relevant as they define the tasks paralegals can undertake in various legal settings. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.51%, the demand for paralegals in the state is expected to continue, supported by the presence of numerous law firms and the increasing complexity of legal cases. Total employment in the field stands at 252 paralegals, indicating a stable job market in Delaware for those considering a career as a paralegal.
Delaware Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $45,456 (lowest entry-level) to $114,928 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware paralegals earn 5.38% less than the national median ($-3,503/year difference).
Delaware Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Delaware range from $46,152 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,034 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,594. The Delaware median is $3,503 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $29.62/hr. Approximately 252 paralegals are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,720
2025 BLS Actual
$59,505
2026 Current Est.
$61,594
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,907 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,505 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 27.4% from $46,720 (2019) to $59,505 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,036 (36.46%) 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 3.51% 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 |
|---|---|
| Dover | $60,895 |
| Middletown | $61,169 |
| Smyrna | $61,333 |
| Bear | $63,444 |
| Newark | $65,777 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $74,147 | 101.7 | $72,908 |
| Newark | $65,777 | 101.7 | $64,677 |
| Dover | $60,895 | 97.507 | $62,452 |
| Bear | $63,444 | 101.7 | $62,383 |
| Smyrna | $61,333 | 101.7 | $60,308 |
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) | $46,152 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,594 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,034 |
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 | $74,147 |
| 2 | Newark | $65,777 |
| 3 | Bear | $63,444 |
| 4 | Smyrna | $61,333 |
| 5 | Middletown | $61,169 |
| 6 | Dover | $60,895 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Delaware in 2026?
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How does Delaware paralegal pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
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 3.51% 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 paralegal compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute 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, 7-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 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov