Delaware MINIMUM WAGES

Delaware State Minimum Wage for 2025

Since January 1, 2025, Delaware’s minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour, up from $13.25 per hour in 2024. This increase is a part of legislative schedule to ensure a livable wage for all employees across the state.

For 2025, the tipped minimum wages in Delaware remains at $2.33 per hour. The state law also prohibits employers from retaining any portion of employees’ tips and tip pooling is allowed under certain specific conditions.

Delaware requires employees to pay overtime at 1.5 times the regular rates for all hours worked beyond 40 hours per week.

Also, the minimum wage rate applies uniformly across all cities and municipalities.

Minimum Wages in Delaware  Cities

Here’s a city-wise breakdown of Delaware’s 2025 minimum wages: 

Threshold For Employees Exempt

In Delaware, the minimum wage affects both exempt and non-exempt employees differently: 

• Non-exempt employees must be at least paid the minimum wage rate of $15.00 per hour, along with overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rates.

• Exempt employees in Delaware are the ones who are not eligible to receive overtime pay. To maintain their exempt status, they must maintain the minimum threshold of $844 per week ($43,888 annually).

Note: By January 2025, the threshold for exempt employees will rise to $58,656 per year or $1,128 per week.  

When minimum wages increase, states may raise the salary threshold for exempt employees to keep a clear pay distinction between exempt and non-exempt workers.  

A higher minimum wage can also cause “wage compression,” narrowing the pay difference between lower and higher-paid workers, which may lead some employers to adjust exempt salaries to preserve role-based pay gaps. 

Historical Data of Delaware Minimum Wages 

Delaware has seen notable adjustments in its minimum wage over recent years. Since 2009, Delaware’s minimum wage rate has steadily risen from $7.25, which matched the federal minimum, to $9.25 by 2019.  

Following that, in 2021, legislation was signed into law for progressive increases, setting Delaware on track to reach a $15 minimum wage by 2025.  

This move aligns Delaware with other states pursuing higher wage floors, addressing cost-of-living needs, and advocating for fair wages across various industries. 

Here is table to help you grasp better;

Exemptions in Minimum Wages of Delaware  

Certain types of employees in Delaware are exempt from minimum wage requirements due to the nature of their work, the structure of their compensation, or specific legal provisions.  

Categories of employees exempted from minimum wages in Delaware are: 

• Farm employees are exempt, given the seasonal and often fluctuating demands of agriculture. 
• Those employed in household roles, like caretakers or cleaners, within private residences are exempt from minimum wage. 
• U.S. government workers follow federal wage standards and are not subject to Delaware’s minimum wage law. 
• Sales representatives primarily working off-site and earning commission are exempt due to their unique pay structure. 
• High-level positions meeting specific FLSA criteria are exempt due to higher compensation and distinct responsibilities. 
• Employees working at sea, especially in fishing, are exempt due to the industry’s specialized working conditions. 
• Volunteers for educational, religious, or nonprofit organizations are exempt, as they are not in traditional employment roles. 
• Young, part-time camp counselors at nonprofit camps are also exempt, reflecting the temporary, developmental nature of these roles. 
• Inmates participating in Department of Correction work programs are not covered by minimum wage laws.