Delaware paralegals often find their niche in law firms and municipal and U.S. district court systems, but those with expertise in areas like business incorporation and corporate law are likely to fare extremely well in Delaware, since more than one million business entities have made the state their legal home – nearly two-thirds of which are Fortune 500 companies, according to the Delaware Division of Corporations.
In addition, the state’s chemical industry and biotech companies provide opportunities for paralegals with experience in intellectual property licensing, trademark and patent law. These types of exciting opportunities have kept salaries for Delaware’s paralegals strong and have allowed the state to rank among the top in the nation for its concentration of paralegal jobs.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Delaware
As of May 2024, paralegals in Delaware earned an average salary of $66,460, or $31.95 per hour, which is just about on par with the national average of $66,510. The state’s top earners (top 10%) earned over $30,000 more annually, with a wage that started at $97,800 annually, or $47.02 hourly. Those with significant experience, particularly in a specialty area of law like litigation, personal injury, bankruptcy, or estate law, are rewarded handsomely for their efforts in Delaware.
Though Delaware reported being home to 2,220 paralegals as of 2024, it ranked first in the nation for its per-capita number of paralegal jobs: 4.67 professionals for every thousand jobs.
Another indicator of Delaware’s plentiful opportunities for paralegals lies in the number of practicing lawyers here. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of active lawyers in Delaware increased by more than 8%, according to the American Bar Association. As of 2024 the ABA reported Delaware was home to 3,058 resident lawyers. The increasing number of lawyers in the state likely translates into more opportunities for paralegals here.
Average Paralegal Salary in Delaware
As of May 2024, the average salary for paralegals in Dover was $57,510, or $27.65 per hour. The top earners here (top 10%) earned a salary that starts at $80,190, or $38.55 per hour, during this time. As the state’s center for government, commerce and industry and home to major corporate players like Kraft Foods and Proctor & Gamble, Dover enjoys plenty of professional opportunities and salaries that come in above the state’s averages.
Dover:
- Average – $57,510 ($27.65 hourly)
- Top 10% – $79,160 ($38.06 hourly)
Rural Sussex:
- Average – $58,210 ($27.99 hourly)
- Top 10% – $80,190 ($38.55 hourly)
May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2025.