Server (Waiter/Waitress) Salary in Wilmington, DE (2026)
Median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Wilmington is approximately $30,000/year — 0.0% above the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Wilmington
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Wilmington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 1.00× | $30,000 | +$0 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 1.00× | $30,000 | +$0 |
| St. Paul, MN | 1.00× | $30,000 | +$0 |
| Chesapeake, VA | 1.00× | $30,000 | +$0 |
| North Las Vegas, NV | 1.00× | $30,000 | +$0 |
Server (Waiter/Waitress) salaries in Wilmington, DE
The estimated median Server (Waiter/Waitress) salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $30,000/year, working out to approximately $14/hour at full-time, $1,154 per biweekly paycheck, or $2,500/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 $30,000, you take home roughly $21,630 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 $1,803/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
Server (Waiter/Waitress) 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.