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Firefighter · Delaware

Firefighter salary in Delaware

Firefighters in Delaware earn a median $46,710 a year across all employers.

$46,710
median pay in DE, all employers
560
workers in DE (SOC 33-2011)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay in Delaware, all employers Sourced

Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) in Delaware, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.

MeasureDE
Workers560
10th percentile$41,960
Median$46,710
90th percentile$72,160
National median, government employers$60,050

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pension in Delaware

State employees: the general plan

PlanAccrualNormal retirementEmployee paysSocial Security
Delaware State Employees' Pension Plan (members hired on or after January 1, 2012)
Initially hired on or after 1/1/2012
1.85%age 65 with 10 years of credited service5%Covered

Local employees: Local police and firefighters

PlanAccrualNormal retirementEmployee paysSocial Security
Delaware County & Municipal Police/Firefighters Pension Plan
Current provisions (SPD 8/5/2026)
—any age with 20 years of credited service7%Varies

The statewide plan a new hire usually joins; where a general plan is shown, some police and fire employers run their own safety plans. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Delaware pension plans list.

Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.

Employers in Delaware

34 fire departments in Delaware, largest Wilmington Fire Department, Wilmington Manor Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., Christiana Fire Company.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Free practice tests for Delaware

Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.

More about this job

Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Firefighter page.

Firefighter in other states

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Delaware government jobs · Delaware public pension plans · police officer standards in Delaware · exam practice in Delaware