A Few Key Employers
- The Bonadio Group
- First Ascent
- Gunnip & Company LLP
- Richards Layton & Finger
- Potter Anderson
Did You Know?
Of the Fortune 500 — the 500 largest corporations in the United States based on revenue — 68% are incorporated in Delaware.
Introduction
Delaware is known globally as one of the best places to do business, thanks to its business-friendly policies and a highly respected legal community. The Court of Chancery, a court where internal business disputes are litigated, is essentially unique to Delaware, and is highly respected in the business world. Major companies like Walmart, McDonald’s and Disney have relied on the court’s expertise.
As a result, the law is one of Delaware’s most desirable professions, along with other professional services (such as accounting and marketing) for the many companies that do business here.
Legal
Entry into the legal profession may seem daunting, considering the expense and time of a legal degree. However, there is also demand for professionals with much lower barriers of entry, such as paralegals. Here is a closer look at some professions:
- Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates: Magistrates and magistrate judges may preside over trials, rule on objections and make decision on cases. However, as they are not judges, they do not sign court orders.
- Lawyers
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers: These professionals usually work for government agencies and decide cases of compensation or discrimination.
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Both paralegals and legal assistants assist lawyers with their duties, for example by performing administrative tasks or research.
Outlook and Pay
|
Career |
Education Required | Average 2024 Pay | 2022 DE Employment | Projected 2032 DE Employment |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates | P | $156,210 | 131 |
130 |
|
Lawyers |
P | $151,160 | 2,926 | 2,993 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers | P | $115,230 | 80 |
80 |
|
Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
A | $61,010 | 1,784 |
1,744 |
Sources: Delaware Department of Labor, onetonline.org
Salary data is national. Note that pay can vary considerably based on location, experience level and training. Note that the minimum education requirement is stated here and that some positions/employers may have different requirements.
Key: A= associate degree, P = PhD or professional degree
Accounting
Like lawyers, accountants in Delaware are in high demand, and significant growth is projected for accountants and auditors by 2032. At the same time, the barrier of entry for accountancy is somewhat lower, as the starting requirement is a bachelor’s degree. Related professions include budget analysts, who help public and private organizations plan their finances, and tax preparers.
Outlook and Pay
|
Career |
Education Required | Average 2024 Pay | 2022 DE Employment | Projected 2032 DE Employment |
| Budget Analysts | B | $87,930 | 147 |
149 |
|
Accountants and Auditors |
B | $81,680 | 5,937 | 6,091 |
| Tax Preparers | H | $50,560 | 294 |
306 |
Sources: Delaware Department of Labor, onetonline.org
Salary data is national. Note that pay can vary considerably based on location, experience level and training. Note that the minimum education requirement is stated here and that some positions/employers may have different requirements.
For tax preparers, no 2022 state-level employment data were available. Numbers for this profession are from 2020 (with projected employment for 2030).
Key: B = bachelor’s degree, H = high school
Advertising/Marketing/PR
The creation of marketing and PR content, advertising and design assets is another important component within the business services sector. It encompasses professions as diverse as editor, graphic designer, sales agent and marketing specialist.
Outlook and Pay in Delaware
|
Career |
Education Required | Average 2024 Pay | 2022 DE Employment | Projected 2032 DE Employment |
|
Marketing Managers |
B | $161,030 | 1,386 |
1,464 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | B | $76,950 | 2,713 |
3,089 |
|
Editors |
B | $75,260 | 160 | 149 |
| Public Relations Specialists | B | $69,780 | 1,139 |
1,210 |
|
Advertising Sales Agents |
H | $61,460 | 226 | 171 |
| Graphic Designers | B | $61,300 | 531 |
545 |
Sources: Delaware Department of Labor, onetonline.org
Salary data is national. Note that pay can vary considerably based on location, experience level and training. Note that the minimum education requirement is stated here and that some positions/employers may have different requirements.
Key: B = bachelor’s degree, H = high school
Where to Get the Skills
Vo-Tech Options
Marketing Today! Pathway
This Pathway focuses on how marketing is evolving in the digital age and how companies can be successful by implementing marketing strategies. Learn more at delawarepathways.org/pathways/marketing-today. Another available Pathway is focused on graphic design and digital publishing. Learn more at delawarepathways.org/pathways/digital-communication-technology.
Also take a look at the courses offered by Delaware’s three vocational-technical school districts:
College Options
Law schools in Delaware include:
Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting are offered at:
Graduate degrees and post-graduate certificates are also available.
Associate Degree in Communications at Delaware Technical Community College
This program uses a combination of hands-on experience, industry-standard technology and the dynamic application of theory to prepare students for the ever-changing communications field. Learn more at dtcc.edu/academics/programs-study/communications.
Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing at Goldey-Beacom College
This program blends basic marketing principles with the latest digital strategies and analytics. The curriculum is based on consultation with Fortune 500 companies and successful startups to identify and incorporate vital, in-demand skills. Learn more at gbc.edu/academics/programs/digital-marketing.
Bachelor of Science in Management (Marketing Concentration) at Delaware State University
The marketing concentration within Delaware State’s Management degree focuses on strategic planning and the development of systems to make businesses successful. Learn more at business.desu.edu/departments/business-administration/management-bs.
Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Wilmington University
Embracing a skills-based approach, Wilmington University’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing prepares students to apply advanced marketing strategies and analytics, integrated communications and the latest marketing technology to meet organizational goals in roles such as marketing analyst, public relations professional, digital marketing specialist or marketing manager. Find program details at wilmu.edu/business/
marketing.aspx.
link