Hospitality · Wilmington, DE

Bartender Salary in Wilmington, DE (2026)

Median Bartender salary in Wilmington is approximately $32,000/year — 0.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Wilmington

$32,000
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$15
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,231
Monthly
$2,667
Annual (gross)
$32,000
vs Delaware state average
State avg: $32,000
+$0
vs US national
National median: $32,000
+$0

After-tax estimate

$23,072
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$32,000
Federal tax (~14%)
−$4,480
FICA (7.65%)
−$2,448
Delaware state tax
~5% effective
−$1,600
Wilmington local tax (1.25%)
−$400
Estimated take-home
$23,072
Monthly take-home
$1,923
For exact take-home, use our Wilmington Paycheck Calculator.
Bartender salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Wilmington
Raleigh, NC1.00×$32,000+$0
Virginia Beach, VA1.00×$32,000+$0
St. Paul, MN1.00×$32,000+$0
Chesapeake, VA1.00×$32,000+$0
North Las Vegas, NV1.00×$32,000+$0

Bartender salaries in Wilmington, DE

The estimated median Bartender salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $32,000/year, working out to approximately $15/hour at full-time, $1,231 per biweekly paycheck, or $2,667/month before taxes. Wilmington's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in Wilmington

Of the gross $32,000, you take home roughly $23,072 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Delaware state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Wilmington local tax: 1.25% — significant for Wilmington workers

That works out to about $1,923/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Wilmington Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Wilmington pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Wilmington typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Wilmington employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Bartender Salary in Delaware — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Wilmington Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Bartender salary in Wilmington?
The estimated median Bartender salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $32,000 per year, or approximately $15/hour at standard full-time. Wilmington sits 0.0% above the US national average for this role.
Wilmington vs Delaware state — what's the salary difference?
Wilmington: $32,000. Delaware state average for Bartender: $32,000. Difference: +$0 (0.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Wilmington have a city income tax?
Yes — Wilmington levies a local income tax of approximately 1.25% on top of federal and Delaware state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Wilmington's cost of living relative to the US average. Wilmington's multiplier is 1.00× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Bartender in Wilmington?
Estimate: $23,072/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Delaware state tax (~5.0% effective), and Wilmington local tax (1.25%). For exact numbers, use the Wilmington Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.