Technology Wilmington, DE Pop. 70,898

Software Engineer Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

The median software engineer salary in Wilmington, DE is $130,410 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 4.0% above the Delaware state average.

City Median
$130,410
vs State Avg
+$4,968
vs National
+$6,210
Cost of Living
105%

Software Engineer Pay in Wilmington: What to Expect (2026)

Wilmington offers a median software engineer salary of $130,410, which is $4,968 above the Delaware state average of $125,442. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Wilmington pays above average for this role.

Wilmington's cost of living is 105% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Wilmington spans from $78,330 at the 10th percentile to $208,509 at the 90th percentile — a $130,179 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $81,900, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $194,250. Wilmington is a smaller market (pop. 70,898), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Wilmington by Experience

In Wilmington, an entry-level software engineer earns around $81,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $194,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$81,900
+$3,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$131,250
+$6,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$194,250
+$9,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wilmington, DE

Percentile Wilmington
10th Percentile $78,330
25th Percentile $103,110
Median (50th) $130,410
75th Percentile $166,110
90th Percentile $208,509

Software Engineer Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Newark, DE
$126,684
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$122,958
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$121,716
Pop. 22,350
Dover, DE
$119,232
Pop. 39,403

How to Become a Software Engineer in Wilmington

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Wilmington and the surrounding Delaware area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Wilmington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Wilmington

Browse open software engineer positions in Wilmington, DE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Wilmington

How much does a Software Engineer make in Wilmington, DE? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $130,410 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $78,330 (10th percentile) to $208,509 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Wilmington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $130,410, a software engineer in Wilmington earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wilmington compare to the Delaware state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Wilmington's median software engineer salary of $130,410 is 4.0% above the Delaware state average of $125,442. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wilmington, DE? ▼
Wilmington has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $130,410 in Wilmington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Wilmington? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Wilmington require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.