CPA in Delaware

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DE. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$84,560

trending_up +3.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Delaware.

engineering

6,120

Jobs (DE)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,281

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (1 year experience for 150 credits/master's, 2 years for 120 credits)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Delaware

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Delaware, candidates must meet the requirements set by the Delaware Board of Accountancy. This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including specific accounting coursework, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, applicants need to complete 2000 hours of supervised accounting experience and pass the AICPA Ethics Examination with a score of 90% or higher. Delaware offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in substantially equivalent jurisdictions, and licenses must be renewed every two years with 80 hours of continuing professional education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $56,500

25th percentile $68,530

50th (median) $84,560

75th percentile $110,290

90th (experienced) $133,550

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Delaware. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Delaware requirements

Licensing body	Delaware Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 24 semester hours in accounting (financial accounting, auditing, and taxation). A new pathway adopted in July 2025 allows for 120 semester credits for exam eligibility, but 150 are still required for licensure. An AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or higher is also required.
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$187
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: No. Experience must be supervised by a licensed U.S. CPA and can be gained in public practice, government, industry, or academia. At least 20 CPE hours must be completed each year, with specific requirements for accounting/auditing, taxation, and Delaware-specific ethics.

Source: Delaware Board of Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,281 investment ÷ $84,560 median salary

check_circleDelaware license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in Delaware? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in Delaware: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 24 semester hours in accounting (financial accounting, auditing, and taxation). A new pathway adopted in July 2025 allows for 120 semester credits for exam eligibility, but 150 are still required for licensure. An AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or higher is also required.), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($187 fee).

Is a cpa license required in Delaware? expand_more

Delaware mandates state licensure for cpas. Delaware Board of Accountancy oversees the process, which includes passing the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much do cpas make in Delaware? expand_more

cpas in Delaware earn a median of $84,560 annually. — within a few percent of the $81,680 national figure. The range spans from $56,500 at the entry level to $133,550 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get cpa certified in Delaware? expand_more

Between exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($187), expect to invest around $1,281 in total to get started.

How long does it take to become a cpa in Delaware? expand_more

Expect to spend 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (1 year experience for 150 credits/master's, 2 years for 120 credits) from start to finish in Delaware — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a cpa license in Delaware? expand_more

Delaware requires 80.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your cpa license.