Payroll Specialist salary and cost of hiring in Delaware
The median payroll specialist in Delaware earned $56,430 a year in May 2025[1], 3.1% below the US median of $58,260. That puts Delaware at #25 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3051. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $38,680 | $56,430 | $86,620 | |
| United States | $39,500 | $58,260 | $81,350 |
The middle half of payroll specialists in Delaware earns $48,400–$80,250; the top tenth earns $86,620 or more, 2.2 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Delaware median that makes about $80,614 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for payroll specialists we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Delaware
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $82,350 | n/a | |
| Dover, DE | $60,230 | 40 |
Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area pays the most ($56,470) and Dover, DE the least ($51,290): $5,180 a year apart for the same job.
What a payroll specialist does
A payroll specialist prepares payroll runs, checks hours and deductions, keeps employee pay records and answers staff questions about their pay.
Neighbours in the ranking
Questions
How much does a payroll specialist earn in Delaware?
The median was $56,430 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $48,400 to $80,250.
What does it cost to employ a payroll specialist in Delaware?
About $80,614 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Delaware do payroll specialists earn the most?
Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area, with a median of $56,470 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3051: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433051.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.