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DE

Certifications & licenses in Delaware

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 28 professional credentials in DE. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers
28
Top-paying
Registered Nurse (RN)
$99,520
insights

What's different about Delaware

Licensing landscape in Delaware

Division of Professional Regulation
37
distinct boards
MASSAGE THERAPY

As of July 1, 2024, required training for new massage therapists increased from 500 to 625 hours under House Bill 386.

Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork

COSMETOLOGY

Delaware requires 1,500 training hours for cosmetologists, and as of August 1, 2024, all NIC licensing exams will be based on the 2022 version.

Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

MASSAGE THERAPY

Delaware offers two tiers of practice: Certified Massage Technicians (300 hours) and Licensed Massage Therapists (now 625 hours).

Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Massage therapists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least 9 hours being hands-on 'Core' credits.

Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork

Metro concentration of certified careers

Where certified careers cluster
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
7,100 jobs gained in January 2026
Total Nonfarm
BLS
Salisbury, MD-DE
9,795 employed persons in 2024
Health Care & Social Assistance
Data USA
Dover, DE
an average of 1,100 jobs gained per month in 2026
Government
USAFacts

Cost-of-living adjusted earnings in Delaware

What nominal wages are actually worth in Delaware
103.5
COL composite index
MERIC 2025 First Quarter
35th in US
National rank

Delaware's cost of living is approximately 3.5% higher than the U.S. average, ranking it 35th among all states.

Regional comparison: Delaware vs. neighbors

Delaware vs. neighboring states
Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage
State Median annual wage vs DE
DE $42,030 —
PA $44,590 +6% vs DE
MD $43,240 +3% vs DE
NJ $46,830 +11% vs DE
Massage Therapist · Required training hours
State Required training hours vs DE
DE 625 hours —
PA 600 hours -25 hours
MD 750 hours +125 hours
NJ 600 hours -25 hours
Sources (6)
health_and_safety

Healthcare in Delaware

14 paths
Career License Median salary
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Required $42,030
Dental Assistant No $47,600
EMT Required $46,790
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Required $68,710
Medical Assistant Required $44,490
Medical Coder No $56,060
Paramedic Required $64,240
Pharmacy Technician No $46,430
Phlebotomist No $48,110
Radiology Technologist Required $84,210
Registered Nurse (RN) Required $99,520
Respiratory Therapist Required $91,080
Surgical Technologist No $62,250
Dental Hygienist Required $98,910
construction

Skilled Trades in Delaware

5 paths
Career License Median salary
CDL Truck Driver Required $57,590
Electrician Required $63,700
HVAC Technician Required $62,320
Plumber Required $64,720
Welder No $57,270
spa

Personal Care & Wellness in Delaware

4 paths
Career License Median salary
Personal Trainer No $44,340
Barber Required —
Cosmetologist Required $34,350
Massage Therapist Required $58,870
business_center

Professional & Business in Delaware

5 paths
Career License Median salary
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Required $95,020
Notary Public Required —
Paralegal No $63,110
Insurance Agent Required $46,710
Real Estate Agent Required $47,180

leaderboard Delaware careers ranked by salary

Compare other states