2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Delaware

$29 an Hour in Delaware — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $29/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $60,320. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Delaware state income tax, your take-home pay is $23.01/hr. In Delaware's medium cost-of-living environment, this is enough to get by in Delaware, though budget carefully.

Gross Annual

$60,320

Net Annual
$47,866

Net Monthly

$3,989

Net Hourly

$23.01

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $29.00 $5.99 $23.01

Daily (8 hrs) $232.00 $47.90 $184.10

Weekly (40 hrs) $1,160.00 $239.50 $920.50

Biweekly $2,320.00 $478.99 $1,841.01

Monthly $5,026.67 $1,037.81 $3,988.85

Annual $60,320 $12,454 $47,866

Full Tax Breakdown — Delaware, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $29/hr × 2,080 hrs $60,320

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $44,220

Federal Income Tax 8.4% −$5,058.40

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$3,739.84

Medicare (1.45%) −$874.64

Delaware Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$3,250

Delaware State Income Tax 4.6% −$2,780.89

Total Tax 20.6% effective −$12,453.77

Net Take-Home $47,866

How Does Delaware Compare?

See how $29/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $1,884.64 $4,064/mo $48,762 Florida None $4,221/mo $50,647 New York $2,630.57 $4,001/mo $48,017 Texas None $4,221/mo $50,647 Washington None $4,221/mo $50,647

Open Full Calculator for Delaware — $29/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$29/hr = $60,320/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Delaware

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Delaware

⚠ Tight — $29/hr is borderline in Delaware

Avg 1BR rent in Wilmington: $1,250/mo — within budget (25% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Delaware: $42,000/yr
Your net annual: $47,866 ($5,866 above comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$29/hr

Working at $29/hr in Delaware

At this level in Delaware, the no-sales-tax advantage compounds with a moderate income tax to create strong purchasing power. Finance and pharmaceutical workers at this wage rate enjoy a favorable tax environment relative to nearby New York and Maryland.

At $29/hr, you work roughly 55 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Wilmington ($1,250/mo) -- that's within the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.9x Delaware's minimum wage of $15/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $29/hr in Delaware is 20.6% -- federal income tax accounts for 8.4%, FICA 7.7%, and Delaware state tax 4.6%.

Delaware punches above its weight economically due to its business-friendly incorporation laws — most Fortune 500 companies are incorporated here. Finance, legal services, and pharmaceuticals (AstraZeneca HQ) are the main employers.

Delaware has no sales tax, which is a meaningful benefit for consumer spending. State income tax runs 2.2%–6.6%. No local income taxes.

Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00/hr (2026).

Monthly Budget on $29/hr in Delaware

Based on $3,989/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Delaware's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $1,250 $15,000 31.3%

Food (groceries + dining) $479 $5,748 12.0%

Transportation $399 $4,788 10.0%

Utilities $239 $2,868 6.0%

Healthcare $199 $2,388 5.0%

Entertainment $199 $2,388 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $399 $4,788 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $825 $9,900 20.7%

Overtime Pay — $29/hr in Delaware

At time-and-a-half ($43.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Delaware. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~19.0%.

5 hrs/week $218 $176 $8,800

10 hrs/week $435 $352 $17,600

20 hrs/week $870 $705 $35,250

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $29/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $23.01 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 1.8 hrs 2.2 hrs

Week of groceries $120 4.2 hrs 5.3 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 27.6 hrs 34.8 hrs

1 month rent (Wilmington) $1,250 43.2 hrs 54.4 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 344.9 hrs 434.6 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 1655.2 hrs 2085.9 hrs

What Jobs Pay $29/hr in Delaware?

At $29/hour, you earn 26% above the estimated median hourly wage in Delaware. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

electrician journeyman, radiologic technologist, licensed practical nurse, IT support specialist, respiratory therapist, construction supervisor

These figures reflect statewide averages for Delaware. The Wilmington metro area typically pays 12% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.

At 29/hr in Delaware, you are earning a functional wage but have limited financial cushion. Your $47,866 net income is close to the $42,000 comfortable living threshold -- deliberate budgeting is essential.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Delaware

The $29/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Delaware. The Wilmington metro area generally commands a 12% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 6% less.

Wilmington metro$32.5/hr+12%Higher pay, higher COL

Delaware average$29/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Delaware$27.3/hr-6%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Delaware at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.

Savings Goals at $29/hr in Delaware

Saving $399/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,0008 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$7,69820 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$15,39639 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00021 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,00063 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$6,30016 months10% on a starter home in Delaware

Your monthly budget surplus of $825 means you can accelerate these timelines by directing extra cash beyond the 10% baseline. Automating transfers on payday is the most reliable way to stay consistent.

Debt Payoff on $29/hr in Delaware

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($598/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$5989 months

Student loan$30,000$59851 months

These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.

401(k) and Retirement at $29/hr

Contributing 6% ($3,619/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $635 in taxes at your 17.5% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $2,984/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $3,619 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $4,788/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$23,940$25,376$1,436 interest

10 years$47,880$50,896$3,016 interest

20 years$95,760$102,655$6,895 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $29/hr in Delaware?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,685 to your annual net take-home in Delaware after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 19.0%, so you keep 81.0% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$30/hr$1,685$140

5% raise$30.5/hr$2,527$211

10% raise$31.9/hr$4,886$407

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 29 an hour a good wage in Delaware?

29/hr in Delaware gives you $47,866/year after taxes -- enough to get by in Delaware, though budget carefully. Avg 1BR rent in Wilmington: $1,250/month (within the 30% rule). It places you 26% above the estimated state median wage.

What is 29 an hour after taxes in Delaware?

29/hr in Delaware = $47,866/year or $3,989/month net. Effective tax rate: 20.6%, made up of 8.4% federal, 7.7% FICA, and 4.6% Delaware state tax.

What jobs pay 29 an hour in Delaware?

Common roles at 29/hr in Delaware include dental assistant, LPN, IT support specialist. Metro areas like Wilmington typically pay 12% more for the same role.

How does 29/hr go further -- Delaware or Texas?

29/hr in Delaware has similar purchasing power to ~29/hr in Texas. Delaware state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 29/hr in Delaware?

Saving $399/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $7,698 in 20 months. A 6-month fund takes 39 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 29/hr in Delaware?

A 6% contribution ($3,619/year) saves $635 in taxes at your 17.5% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $2,984/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 29/hr in Delaware?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,685/year to your net take-home in Delaware after the 19.0% marginal tax rate. You keep 81.0% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 29/hr in Delaware?

At 29/hr in Delaware, your total effective tax rate is 20.6%: federal income tax 8.4%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Delaware state tax 4.6%. You keep 79.4% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Wilmington on 29/hr?

The average 1BR in Wilmington is $1,250/month. At 29/hr, rent consumes 25% of your gross monthly pay -- within the recommended 30% ceiling. Your net hourly rate of $23.01 means you work 55 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 29/hr look like as an annual salary?

29/hr times 2,080 hours equals $60,320/year gross. After all taxes in Delaware, your net annual income is $47,866 -- an effective take-home rate of 79.4%.