Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Delaware employment is concentrated in financial services, healthcare, and retail trade, with manufacturing employing a comparatively smaller share of the workforce.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED DENA).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing employment (thousands) | 26 | 12900 |
- •Financial activities are Delaware's largest employment sector relative to state size.
Unemployment
Delaware's unemployment rate stood at 4.0% in 2024, in line with the national rate, reflecting a stable, diversified labor market.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED DEUR).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4 | 4 |
- •Delaware's unemployment rate has remained close to the national average for several consecutive years.
Labor Force
Delaware's labor force numbers about 500,000 workers, reflecting the state's small population but relatively strong participation in finance, healthcare, and retail sectors.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED DELF).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (thousands) | 500 | 167900 |
- •Delaware's labor force has grown steadily alongside its population influx.
Occupations
The most common occupations in Delaware are in office administration, healthcare support, and sales, with financial services occupations paying above-average wages.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Financial sector dominance (qualitative) | 1 | 1 |
- •Delaware has one of the highest concentrations of credit-card and banking jobs in the U.S.
Salaries
The median salary in Delaware is about $52,900, with higher wages typical in financial services and lower wages in retail and hospitality sectors.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU10000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU10000000500000003).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary ($) | 52900 | 65470 |
- •Delaware's minimum wage of $15.00 per hour is among the highest in the country.
Remote Work
Remote work in Delaware sits close to the national average, with many Wilmington-based financial and corporate workers continuing hybrid arrangements after the pandemic.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 17.5 | 17.9 |
- •Delaware's proximity to Philadelphia and Baltimore supports many hybrid commuting arrangements.
Workforce Participation
Delaware's labor force participation rate is 60.3%, slightly below the national average, partly due to its older population with a large retiree share.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA10).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate (%) | 60.3 | 62.5 |
- •Delaware's high share of retirees contributes to its lower labor force participation rate.