Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a state trooper in Delaware
State troopers in Delaware meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST; formerly Council on Police Training, COPT), Department of Safety and Homeland Security: age 21+, 584-hour academy, state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for Delaware.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Delaware, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Delaware, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | DE |
|---|---|
| Workers | 1,800 |
| 10th percentile | $62,470 |
| Median | $92,970 |
| 90th percentile | $130,870 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
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: State public safety
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State Police Pension Plan (post-June 30, 1980 'New State Police' plan) New State Police Pension Plan | — | any age with 20 years of credited service | 7% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. 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.
Free practice tests for Delaware
Delaware POST Peace Officer Certification ExamDelaware exam · free on Open Exam Prep
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 State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer page.
State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer in other states
More government jobs in Delaware
Delaware government jobs · Delaware public pension plans · police officer standards in Delaware · exam practice in Delaware