Delaware Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay in Delaware. The state levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 6.6% (2.2% to 6.6% across 6 brackets). This means a portion of every paycheck goes toward state income tax in addition to federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare.
Disclaimer: All figures on this page are estimates for general informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates, brackets, and withholding rules change and vary by locality and personal circumstances. Verify current rates with the Delaware Department of Revenue or the IRS, and consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.
Delaware Tax Snapshot
- State Income Tax
- 6.6% top rate
- Sales Tax (state + local avg)
- None
- Avg Property Tax Rate
- 0.53%
- Median Home Value
- $317,200
- State Minimum Wage
- $15.00/hr
Did You Know?
Delaware charges no sales tax and is a top incorporation state.
How Delaware's Graduated Brackets Affect Your Paycheck
When you earn a paycheck in Delaware, your employer withholds federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). On top of that, the state withholds income tax based on 2.2% to 6.6% across 6 brackets. The state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, which sets the floor for hourly workers. Understanding these deductions helps you budget effectively and plan for the average 0.53% property tax rate on homes valued around $317,200.
Delaware does not charge a state or local sales tax, giving residents additional purchasing power beyond their take-home pay.
Where You Live vs. Where You Work in Delaware
Delaware has no income tax reciprocity agreements, so if you live here and work across a state line, the work state generally withholds its own tax first. Delaware then gives you a credit for taxes paid to the other state, which usually leaves you paying the higher of the two rates overall rather than both in full.
Wilmington levies a 1.25% earned income tax on residents and on non-residents who work in the city. Local withholding is separate from the state line on your pay stub, so check it explicitly if you move house or change work location without changing employer.
How Delaware's Income Tax Compares Nationally
Delaware uses a graduated income tax — 2.2% to 6.6% across 6 brackets — so higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates rather than one flat percentage.
Its 6.6% top rate is the 13th-highest nationally among the 42 states and jurisdictions that tax wages, above the median top rate of 5.25%.
For comparison, nearby states line up like this: Maryland (top rate 6.5%); New Jersey (top rate 10.75%); Pennsylvania (top rate 3.07%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delaware have a state income tax? + −
Yes. Delaware has a state income tax with a top rate of 6.6%. Your effective rate depends on your filing status and income brackets. Delaware charges no sales tax and is a top incorporation state.
What is the sales tax rate in Delaware? + −
The Delaware state sales tax rate is 0%. When you include the average local rate of 0%, the combined rate is approximately 0.00%. Actual rates vary by city and county.
How do I calculate my Delaware take-home pay? + −
Start with your gross salary, subtract federal income tax (based on your W-4 and tax bracket), subtract FICA taxes (7.65% — 6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare), then subtract Delaware state income tax at your marginal rate. The remainder is your net take-home pay. Our calculator does this automatically.
What payroll deductions apply in Delaware? + −
All Delaware employees pay federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%). State income tax is also withheld based on Delaware's brackets. Additional deductions may include 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and any local taxes.
How often are Delaware employees typically paid? + −
Most Delaware employees are paid biweekly (26 paychecks per year) or semi-monthly (24 paychecks). Some employers use weekly or monthly pay schedules. Our calculator supports all frequencies — enter your gross pay for one period and it calculates your net pay after all applicable Delaware taxes and deductions.
What are the Delaware income tax brackets? + −
Delaware uses a graduated structure: 2.2% to 6.6% across 6 brackets. Only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so your effective rate is always lower than the 6.6% top rate.
Is Delaware a high income tax state? + −
Delaware's top rate of 6.6% ranks 13th-highest among the 42 states and jurisdictions with a wage income tax, above the national median top rate of 5.25%. Because the brackets are graduated (2.2% to 6.6% across 6 brackets), most filers pay an effective rate well below the headline number.
What if I live in Delaware but work in another state? + −
Delaware has no reciprocity agreements, so the state where you physically work usually withholds its own income tax. You then file a Delaware resident return reporting all your income and claim a credit for the tax paid to the other state. The credit is capped at what Delaware would have charged, so you effectively pay the higher of the two rates.
Are there local income taxes in Delaware? + −
Yes. Wilmington levies a 1.25% earned income tax on residents and on non-residents who work in the city. That withholding is separate from the 6.6% state tax line and from federal tax and FICA, so your total deduction can be noticeably higher than the state rate alone suggests.
How do nearby states' income taxes compare with Delaware's? + −
Maryland (top rate 6.5%); New Jersey (top rate 10.75%); Pennsylvania (top rate 3.07%). 1 of the 3 nearby states listed has a higher top rate than Delaware's 6.6%.
Related Delaware Calculators
Other State Paycheck Calculators
