Hospitality & Tourism Wilmington, DE Pop. 70,898

Sommelier Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

The median sommelier salary in Wilmington, DE is $65,100 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 4.0% above the Delaware state average.

City Median
$65,100
vs State Avg
+$2,480
vs National
+$3,100
Cost of Living
105%

Sommelier Pay in Wilmington: What to Expect (2026)

Wilmington offers a median sommelier salary of $65,100, which is $2,480 above the Delaware state average of $62,620. Compared to the national median of $62,000, 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 sommeliers in Wilmington spans from $33,600 at the 10th percentile to $131,250 at the 90th percentile — a $97,650 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,750, while senior sommeliers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $123,900. Wilmington is a smaller market (pop. 70,898), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Sommelier Salary in Wilmington by Experience

In Wilmington, an entry-level sommelier earns around $36,750, while experienced professionals earn up to $123,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,750
+$1,750 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,250
+$3,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$123,900
+$5,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wilmington, DE

Percentile Wilmington
10th Percentile $33,600
25th Percentile $46,200
Median (50th) $65,100
75th Percentile $96,600
90th Percentile $131,250

Sommelier Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Newark, DE
$63,240
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$61,380
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$60,760
Pop. 22,350
Dover, DE
$59,520
Pop. 39,403

How to Become a Sommelier in Wilmington

Education

Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Wilmington and the surrounding Delaware area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wine KnowledgeTastingFood PairingInventory ManagementCustomer ServiceSommelier Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, sommelier employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Wilmington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Sommelier Jobs in Wilmington

Browse open sommelier positions in Wilmington, DE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Sommelier Salary in Wilmington

How much does a Sommelier make in Wilmington, DE? ▼
The median sommelier salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $65,100 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $33,600 (10th percentile) to $131,250 (90th percentile).
How much does a Sommelier make per hour in Wilmington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $65,100, a sommelier in Wilmington earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wilmington compare to the Delaware state average for sommelier pay? ▼
Wilmington's median sommelier salary of $65,100 is 4.0% above the Delaware state average of $62,620. 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 sommelier salary of $65,100 in Wilmington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a sommelier in Wilmington? ▼
Most sommelier positions in Wilmington require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.