Minimum Wage

The Department of Labor can collect minimum wages on behalf of Delaware workers. The minimum wage is $7.25 as of July 24, 2009.

Special Minimum Wages:

Employees Who Receive Tips:

  • The minimum cash wage payable to employees who receive tips is $2.23 per hour effective October 1, 1996.
  • Tips may not be taken or retained by an employer except as required by law.
  • Tip pooling is permitted (under certain circumstances) in an amount not to exceed 15% of the actual tips received by the employee.

Minimum Wage Exemptions:

  • Employees in agriculture
  • Employees in domestic service in or about private homes
  • Employees of the United States Government
  • Outside commission paid salespeople
  • Bona fide executives, administrators, and professionals
  • Employees engaged in fishing and fish processing at sea
  • Volunteer workers (for educational, religious or non-profit organizations)
  • Junior camp counselors employed by non-profit summer camp programs
  • Inmates participating in Department of Correction programs

Record Keeping Requirements:

Employers must keep records, including rates of pay, hours worked and the amount paid for each worker, for at least three (3) years.

Last Updated: July 29 2011