The minimum wage in Newark is $15.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the regional living wage of $21.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Newark.
The minimum wage in Newark is the Delaware statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Newark does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Delaware statewide minimum of $15.00/hour applies to most employers. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Newark. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,350/month and a cost-of-living index of 109 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Newark, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Regional living wage (single adult) | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| Regional living wage (family of four, one earner) | $42.50 | $88,400 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $16,200 |
Living wage figures: regional wage data for New Castle County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Newark.
Newark, Delaware (distinct from Newark, New Jersey) is home to the University of Delaware and sits in the northwestern corner of the state, with an economy built on higher education, research and biotechnology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing along the Interstate 95 corridor.
| Local Metric | Newark (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 33,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | New Castle County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 109 |
| Regional living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| Regional living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $330,000 |
| Median household income | $65,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.65% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Newark is the Delaware statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Newark does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Delaware statewide minimum of $15.00/hour applies to most employers. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $31,200 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. Regional wage research estimates a single adult in New Castle County needs about $21.00/hour (roughly $43,680/year) to cover basic costs. That is $6.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $42.50/hour.
At $15.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $31,200 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,400/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Newark is about $1,350/month, or $16,200/year.
Newark does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Delaware statewide minimum of $15.00/hour applies to most employers.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Delaware has set a state minimum wage of $15.00/hour, well above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Newark.