Statutory minimum wage in Delaware (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour since 1 January 2025. The state rate follows the federal rate if that becomes higher, and no further scheduled increase is in the statute.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.00 per hour [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Tips may count towards the minimum wage up to the federal tip credit percentage of June 2006, but the cash wage may never be less than $2.23 an hour (tipped means more than $30 a month in tips). [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | The state minimum wage applies to every employee in any occupation, with no youth rate; under-18s employed as junior counsellors or counsellors in training by a non-profit summer camp are exempt. [1] |
Notes
- If a federal minimum wage above the state rate is established, the state minimum equals the federal rate (§ 902(a)). The tip credit may not take the rate below $2.23 per hour (§ 902(b)). Some local governments set rates above the state minimum; the US Department of Labor page does not show these.
- The statute lists no scheduled increase after 1 January 2025.
Sources
- Delaware General Assembly: Delaware Code Title 19, Chapter 9 (Minimum Wage), § 902 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Delaware and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Yes | $15.00 per hour | No youth rate; summer camp CITs exempt | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maryland | Yes | $15.00 per hour | 85% of the rate under 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Jersey | Yes | $15.92 per hour | Minors under 18 excluded in some sectors | 1 January 2027 | $16.48 per hour |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Delaware
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal, 21+, within limits · Growing at home: No home growing
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph business, 20-25 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph (2-lane roads)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (Class D after 12 months on a permit) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16 (Level 1 learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers and similar excepted) · Minimum age to buy: 18 (sparklers and similar items)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Closed pocketknife up to 3.75 in is not a deadly weapon · Locking or one-handed knives: Deadly weapon; separate offence repealed 2025
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats (16+) · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats (16+)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.