What Goes on a Delaware Pay Stub
Delaware stubs begin with gross pay and hours, then federal income tax withholding, Social Security at 6.2 percent up to the $184,500 wage base, and Medicare at 1.45 percent. The federal block looks the same in Wilmington, Dover, and Newark.
The Delaware line runs on a graduated scale from 2.2 to 6.6 percent across six brackets. There is no local income tax in Delaware, so the stub stays clean below the state line. See how the brackets treat your salary with the Delaware Paycheck Calculator.
Delaware Withholding Rules: The State W-4
Delaware employees complete the state's own withholding certificate, often called the Delaware W-4, when hired. It sets the allowances payroll uses before applying the graduated withholding tables.
Delaware recommends that withholding not fall below 5 percent of wages for supplemental pay like bonuses. If you earn bonus or commission income, that guidance is worth a look before the check is cut.
How Often Delaware Employers Have to Pay You
Delaware requires paydays at least once a month, on regular paydays designated in advance. Most employers pay far more often, with biweekly the standard across the state's finance, chemical, and healthcare employers.
The monthly minimum is a floor, not a target. Whatever schedule your employer sets must be regular and communicated to you when you are hired.
Delaware Final Paycheck Timing
Delaware requires final wages to be paid by the next regular payday after separation, whether you quit or were terminated. There is no accelerated deadline for firings the way some states impose.
Accrued vacation is owed only if the employer's policy or agreement provides for it. Check the handbook before your last day so the final stub holds no surprises.
Does Delaware Require Itemized Pay Stubs?
Yes. Delaware's Wage Payment and Collection Act requires employers to furnish an itemized statement of wages and deductions. Delaware is also an opt-out electronic state, meaning electronic stubs are the default and you do not need to consent first, though you can request paper.
That default makes Delaware one of the more digital-friendly states for pay statements. If you cannot access the portal or never received login details, ask payroll for access in writing.
Worked Example: a $60,000 Salary in Wilmington
Take a single filer in Wilmington earning $60,000 a year, paid biweekly with no pre-tax benefits. The graduated Delaware scale keeps the state line moderate at this income.
| Item | Per paycheck |
| Gross pay (biweekly) | $2,307.69 |
| Federal income tax | ~$193.21 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $143.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $33.46 |
| Delaware state tax | ~$130.23 |
| Net pay | ~$1,807.71 |
Those "~" marks matter: your real stub shifts with pre-tax benefits, filing status, and any extra withholding you requested. Use the generator above with your own numbers for a stub that matches your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delaware's income tax withholding range in 2026?
Delaware withholds on a graduated scale from 2.2 percent to 6.6 percent across six brackets.
What is the Delaware withholding form?
Delaware's own withholding certificate, commonly called the Delaware W-4. You file it with your employer when hired.
Can Delaware employers issue electronic pay stubs?
Yes. Delaware allows electronic delivery by default with no employee consent required, though you may request a paper statement.
When is my final paycheck due in Delaware?
By the next regular payday after separation, whether you quit or were terminated.
Does Delaware have a local income tax?
No. Delaware cities and counties do not levy income taxes, so your stub shows a single state line.
Related Tools
Use the main Pay Stub Generator for the national version, or the Delaware Paycheck Calculator to estimate take-home pay. Nearby states have their own pages: the Maryland Pay Stub Generator, the Connecticut Pay Stub Generator, and the Massachusetts Pay Stub Generator.
Sources: Delaware Division of Revenue, Delaware Department of Labor. Figures reviewed for 2026. This generator provides an estimate for planning purposes and is not tax or legal advice.