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How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Delaware? (2026)

State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Delaware.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026
Data current as of March 2026 Sources: IRS Publication 15, SSA COLA notices, State Workforce Agencies

Hiring a $60,000/year employee in Delaware costs employers approximately $65,630 total in 2026, including $5,630 in mandatory payroll taxes and workers' comp. That's a 1.09x multiplier on base salary.

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Total Cost at $60K Salary

$65,630

Cost multiplier: 1.09x

SUTA Rate (Mid)

1.5%

Wage base: $14,500

Workers' Comp Rate

1.3%

Has state income tax

Key Insight

For a $60,000 salary in Delaware, employers pay $5,630 in mandatory taxes — a 1.09x cost multiplier. Delaware's SUTA rate (1.5%) is below the national average of 1.70%.

Model your specific hire

Use our interactive calculator pre-loaded with Delaware's tax rates. Adjust salary, benefits, and overhead to get your true cost.

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Delaware Employer Tax Details

State-specific payroll obligations for employers

SUTA Rate Range 0.1% – 8.0%
SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) 1.5%
SUTA Wage Base $14,500
Workers' Compensation (avg) 1.3% of payroll
State Income Tax Yes

Example Employer Costs in Delaware

Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)

Component $40,000 Salary $60,000 Salary $80,000 Salary
Social Security (6.2%) $2,480 $3,720 $4,960
Medicare (1.45%) $580 $870 $1,160
FUTA $42 $42 $42
SUTA (DE) $218 $218 $218
Workers' Comp $520 $780 $1,040
Total Employer Taxes $3,840 $5,630 $7,420
Total Cost (salary + taxes) $43,840 (1.1x) $65,630 (1.09x) $87,420 (1.09x)

These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.

Tax rates sourced from IRS Publication 15, SSA COLA notices, and Delaware Department of Labor. Social Security tax is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500. Medicare is 1.45% with no wage cap. FUTA is 0.6% on the first $7,000 after credit.

How Delaware Compares

Delaware's typical SUTA rate of 1.5% is below the national average of ~1.70%.

Workers' compensation at 1.3% of payroll is above the national average of ~1.20%.

Delaware Employer Environment

Below-average employer costs
  • State income tax applies — factor into total compensation packages
  • SUTA rate 1.5% (wage base $14,500) — in line with national average
  • Workers' comp rate 1.3% — near national average, varies by industry classification

Delaware's overall employer tax burden is broadly in line with the national average. Review SUTA and workers' comp rates relative to your industry classification for a more precise picture.

DE

Delaware Employment Profile

Delaware's relatively high $14,500 SUTA wage base is offset by no sales tax and a very business-friendly incorporation environment that attracts holding companies.

Top Industries

chemical manufacturing (DuPont legacy), financial services, healthcare

Employer Note

Many corporations are incorporated in Delaware for legal reasons but actually employ workers elsewhere; verify where employees physically work for correct SUTA obligations.

Cost at Different Salary Levels in Delaware

Total employer cost including all mandatory payroll taxes

Salary Total Cost Multiplier
$30,000 $32,945 1.1x
$40,000 $43,840 1.1x
$50,000 $54,735 1.09x
$60,000 $65,630 1.09x
$75,000 $81,972 1.09x
$100,000 $109,210 1.09x
$125,000 $136,447 1.09x
$150,000 $163,685 1.09x

Compare Delaware With

vs California vs Texas vs New York vs Florida vs Illinois vs Georgia

Hiring Cost by Industry in Delaware

Workers' comp rates vary significantly by industry — restaurant and construction workers cost far more to insure than office staff.

Restaurant WC 3.25% of payroll Retail WC 1.69% of payroll Technology WC 0.33% of payroll Healthcare WC 1.82% of payroll Construction WC 5.2% of payroll Manufacturing WC 3.9% of payroll Professional Services WC 0.36% of payroll

Average Wages by Occupation in Delaware

BLS OEWS 2024

Median annual wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — use these as your baseline salary when estimating total hiring cost.

Occupation Group Median Annual Employed
Management $140,320 23,530
Computer and Mathematical $107,890 16,470
Legal $98,530 5,910
Architecture and Engineering $94,880 5,640
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical $87,840 32,900
Business and Financial Operations $85,970 39,600
Life, Physical, and Social Science $80,580 6,380
Educational Instruction and Library $59,740 27,790
At the median computer and mathematical salary of $107,890, total employer cost in Delaware is approximately $117,806 — about 9% above base salary.
See all occupations in Delaware →

States With Similar Hiring Costs

These states have SUTA rates close to Delaware's 1.5% — good for cost benchmarking.

New Hampshire
SUTA 1.5%
Oklahoma
SUTA 1.5%
Indiana
SUTA 1.5%
Louisiana
SUTA 1.5%
Rhode Island
SUTA 1.5%

Delaware Business Resources

Employee Cost Calculator

Pre-filled for Delaware — customize salary and benefits

1099 vs W-2 Calculator

Is a contractor cheaper than a W-2 employee? Find the break-even rate.

Salary to Hourly in Delaware

Convert annual salary to hourly with Delaware payroll taxes

Form an LLC in Delaware

Step-by-step LLC formation guide

Specialized Calculators for Delaware Employers

Running a specific type of business? These tools go deeper on costs by industry and location.

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Franchise Budget Calculator

franchisebudget.com — franchise startup cost estimator

Simplify Payroll in Delaware

These providers handle tax calculations, filings, and compliance automatically.

Gusto Payroll

All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR. Automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
ADP Payroll

Payroll and tax filing for businesses of all sizes with built-in state-specific compliance.
Paychex HR & Payroll

Payroll, HR, and benefits in one platform. Handles multi-state employment and tax filings.

Some links may be affiliate links. CostCrunch may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Compare all 8 payroll software options →

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Calculate Your Exact Employee Cost

Use our interactive calculator with your specific salary, state, and benefits to get an exact number.

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Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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