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Delaware Economy
Unemployment was 4.6% in Sep 2026, the 40th lowest of 51 states. Personal income averages $68,061 per person.
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%
- -0.6 pts in a year
- Labor force
- 504,749
- -2.3% in a year
- Income per person
- $68,061
- BEA, 2024
- Average annual pay
- $75,665
- QCEW, 2025
Unemployment rate in Delaware
Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.
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| Period | Delaware |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 5.3% |
| Dec 2024 | 4.0% |
| Dec 2023 | 3.9% |
| Dec 2022 | 4.1% |
| Dec 2021 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2020 | 5.6% |
| Dec 2019 | 3.6% |
| Dec 2018 | 3.5% |
| Dec 2017 | 4.2% |
| Dec 2016 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2015 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2014 | 5.1% |
| Dec 2013 | 6.1% |
| Dec 2012 | 6.9% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics · Last updated 09/01/2026
Counties in Delaware
Unemployment (Sep 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.
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| # | County | Unemployment | 1 year | Labor force | Income per person | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Castle County | 4.6% | -0.5 pts | 299,137 | $69,609 | $83,959 |
| 2 | Sussex County | 4.2% | -0.4 pts | 120,133 | $73,647 | $57,350 |
| 3 | Kent County | 5.0% | -0.6 pts | 82,965 | $55,474 | $60,857 |
Jobs and pay by industry in Delaware
Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
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| Industry | Jobs | 1-year change | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 82,872 | +5.2% | $72,452 |
| Retail trade | 50,811 | -0.7% | $40,959 |
| Finance and insurance | 43,258 | -1.2% | $138,636 |
| Accommodation and food services | 42,804 | -2.2% | $28,287 |
| Professional and technical services | 29,503 | +2.3% | $133,423 |
| Administrative and support services | 27,815 | -3.3% | $59,419 |
| Manufacturing | 26,680 | 0.0% | $79,420 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 22,869 | +1.2% | $56,747 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10,125 | +2.1% | $31,036 |
| Management of companies | 7,337 | -5.1% | $180,245 |
| Real estate and rental | 6,068 | +0.9% | $73,220 |
| Educational services | 4,969 | +0.4% | $59,289 |
Government employs 69,064 people (14.3% of all jobs): 6,585 federal, 30,898 state and 31,581 local.
Output and businesses in Delaware
Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau
- GDP
- $111B
- 2024, current dollars
- Real GDP growth
- +4.0%
- Adjusted for inflation
- Employer businesses
- 29,706
- 457,635 employees
- Professional and technical services4,42914.9%
- Retail trade3,74212.6%
- Health care and social assistance3,06610.3%
- Construction2,5188.5%
- Other services2,4998.4%
- Accommodation and food services2,4448.2%
- Finance and insurance1,9996.7%
- Administrative and support services1,8336.2%
- Real estate and rental1,4404.8%
- Wholesale trade1,2894.3%
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts; Census County Business Patterns 2023
Frequently asked questions
- What is the unemployment rate in Delaware?
- Delaware's unemployment rate was 4.6% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
- Which county in Delaware has the highest unemployment?
- Kent County has the highest rate at 5.0%, and Sussex County has the lowest at 4.2% (not seasonally adjusted).
- What is the largest industry in Delaware?
- Health care and social assistance is the largest private employer with 82,872 jobs, followed by retail trade (50,811) and finance and insurance (43,258).
- What is the average salary in Delaware?
- The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Delaware was $75,665 in 2025, or $1,455 a week.
- How big is Delaware's economy?
- Delaware's GDP was $111B in 2024, about $105,495 per resident.