Truck Driver Salary in Delaware (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
Delaware is small in land area but freight-dense. The Port of Wilmington is a major auto, fruit, and container port. The I-95 Northeast Corridor runs through the state. Southern Delaware (Sussex County) is part of the Delmarva poultry processing region, generating refrigerated + live-haul freight. DuPont's chemical corridor in northern Delaware drives specialty tanker demand.
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — Delaware state median: $56,210. Employment: ~5,430.2
- Delaware median sits ~$1,230 below the national median — near national.
- Top paying metros: Dover MSA, Wilmington metropolitan division (part of Philadelphia MSA).
- Distinguishing features: Port of Wilmington, DuPont chemical corridor, Delmarva poultry processing, I-95 NE Corridor, no state sales tax (but state income tax progressive to ~6.6%).
Delaware Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_de.htm.2
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median wage | $56,210 |
| State employment | ~5,430 |
| State vs national median | −$1,230 (−2.1%) |
Top Delaware Metros
Wilmington Metropolitan Division (within Philadelphia MSA)
- Port of Wilmington — auto imports (Chrysler, Hyundai), container, fruit.
- DuPont chemical corridor — specialty chemicals.
- I-95 / I-495 corridor.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_48864.htm.4
Dover MSA
- State capital + Dover AFB logistics.
- Poultry processing (Delmarva).
- Agricultural freight.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_20100.htm.4
Major Freight Industries
| Industry | Endorsement fit | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Wilmington drayage | TWIC | $58–$82k |
| DuPont chemical tanker | X (H+N) | $70–$95k+ |
| Delmarva poultry processing + feed | None | $52–$75k |
| I-95 LTL transit | T | $72–$95k experienced |
Major Carriers Hiring in Delaware
- Regional: NFI (HQ Camden NJ across the river), A. Duie Pyle, various Mid-Atlantic regional.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, FedEx Freight, Estes, ABF Freight.
- Port drayage: Wilmington-specific specialty drayage.
- DuPont chemical: Kenan Advantage, Groendyke, Trimac.
- Poultry dedicated: Perdue Farms, Mountaire Farms (MD-based but DE ops), Tyson.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Delaware in 2026? Delaware state median is $56,210 per BLS OEWS May 2024, with ~5,430 drivers employed.2 Sits ~$1,230 below national. Specialty chemical tanker (DuPont) pushes experienced drivers into $75,000–$95,000+.
Is the Delmarva poultry industry a good employment base? Yes for reefer + live-haul specialty. Perdue Farms, Mountaire, Tyson all run freight. Pay is typical for regional food-service dedicated.
What are the largest carriers hiring in Delaware in 2026? NFI, A. Duie Pyle, Old Dominion, Saia, FedEx Freight, Kenan Advantage, Perdue/Mountaire dedicated.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS 53-3032 National. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩
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BLS OEWS Delaware State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_de.htm ↩↩↩
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BEA Regional Price Parities. https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area ↩
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BLS OEWS MSAs. Wilmington: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_48864.htm · Dover: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_20100.htm · All DE: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩↩
