City Town Info

Dover Employment

Employment and Industries in the Dover, Delaware Area

State government is the primary employer in Dover. The government of Kent County and Dover Air Force Base are also significant employers. The city is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Delaware. The growth is partially attributed to a relatively low cost of living. The city is also the center for commerce and industry for Central Delaware. In addition, Dover is home to manufacturing facilities of General Mills, Playtex, Procter & Gamble, PPG Industries and Eagle Group.

The Dover Air Force Base has a significant impact on Dover's economy. The base includes the largest aerial port facility located on the East Coast. Aeropark, a large industrial center, is located near the Air Force base. Delaware has been ranked in the top five in the country by Corporation for Enterprise Development. The rankings are based on various economic factors.

Shown below, in descending order, are the largest non-agricultural sectors of employment in Dover:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Education and health services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional and business services
  • Construction
  • Finance

A list of the largest employers in Dover is provided below:

  • Dover Air Force Base - Government
  • Bayhealth Medical Center - Hospitals
  • Dover Downs - Gambling/Harness
  • Delaware State University - Education
  • Playtex - Personal care items manufacturer and distributor
  • Capital School District - Education
  • Kraft Foods - Food Products
  • Bank of America - Banking
  • Aetna U.S. Healthcare - Insurance
  • City of Dover - Government
  • Procter and Gamble Paper Products
  • Eagle Group - Files and storage cabinet manufacturer
  • PPG Industries - Paint products producer
  • Reichold Inc - Coatings, polyesters, emulsions and adhesives producer
  • Hirsch Industries - Consumer durable goods manufacturer
  • Sunroc Corporation - Water coolers and drinking fountains manufacturer
  • Silver Lake Center - Eldercare
  • Walmart- Retail
  • Delaware Tech College - Education
  • Mrs. K's Salsa - Food products

Noteworthy information about Dover: The city has been ranked #4 in the Milken Institute's list of best performing small cities. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $44,000. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 87.6 which is below the nation's average of 100. Approximately 29% of the residents over the age of 25 hold a bachelor's degree or better.

Dover companies are provided assistance from business organizations such as:

The Dover Post offers current information about the business endeavors in Dover.

Most Popular Jobs in Dover, Delaware Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Elementary school teachers, except special education1,03044,310$21,610 - 68,28014%95%
2Accountants and auditors47054,690$35,720 - 77,29018%79%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products35045,740$31,150 - 64,5108%51%
4Child, family, and school social workers33039,760$25,530 - 54,63019%77%
5Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation27042,510$28,160 - 59,9905%58%
6Computer systems analysts22070,540$43,410 - 102,38029%68%
7Civil engineers21070,160$50,390 - 99,21018%87%
8Computer programmers20061,960$35,990 - 82,4300%73%
9Educational, vocational, and school counselors20053,780$35,160 - 78,94013%73%
10Medical and health services managers19083,280$56,050 - 117,86016%57%
11Social and human service assistants18028,310$18,460 - 38,74034%58%
12Lawyers180106,700$59,590 - 11%99%
13Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other17054,710$41,330 - 74,17017%56%
14Management analysts17059,300$41,910 - 80,29022%78%
15Financial managers14094,960$54,730 - 132,64013%60%
16Network and computer systems administrators14050,810$36,050 - 65,29027%50%
17Environmental scientists and specialists, including health13058,340$42,320 - 78,72025%93%
18Training and development specialists12051,760$34,130 - 67,62018%56%
19Education administrators, postsecondary11092,060$51,140 - 151,62014%78%
20Pharmacists10095,610$22,970 - 132,60022%97%
21Legislators9066,680$41,310 - 133,6301%65%
22Computer and information systems managers9093,780$69,610 - 126,22016%73%
23Public relations specialists9052,920$33,720 - 72,95018%81%
24Coaches and scouts9055,410$19,070 - 93,27015%60%
25Chief executives90187,410$121,980 - 2%65%
26Social and community service managers8066,660$45,260 - 103,26025%72%
27Librarians8057,280$34,600 - 82,5604%85%
28Personal financial advisors8069,680$43,000 - 112,09041%81%
29Network systems and data communications analysts8065,030$42,690 - 92,17053%57%
30Instructional coordinators7062,520$42,380 - 97,56023%79%
31Industrial engineers7071,550$50,380 - 100,10020%74%
32Sales managers70110,310$55,700 - 10%69%
33Chemists6065,190$44,460 - 97,6309%93%
34Occupational health and safety specialists6054,350$35,080 - 82,0208%72%
35Market research analysts6041,290$31,430 - 56,52020%82%
36Physician assistants6091,650$74,220 - 112,64027%67%
37Physical therapists5078,070$55,150 - 120,06027%89%
38Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists5046,220$39,540 - 52,09018%56%
39Managers, all other5082,070$51,980 - 116,6407%55%
40Graphic designers5035,570$24,940 - 49,08010%55%
41Medical and public health social workers5045,180$32,790 - 57,78024%77%
42Budget analysts5056,140$40,070 - 82,6407%78%
43Sales and related workers, all other5036,310$18,410 - 67,29014%62%
44Tax preparers5034,290$24,880 - 49,6900%54%
45Environmental engineers4069,310$49,960 - 93,18025%86%
46Veterinarians40105,080$61,930 - 163,37035%100%
47Computer software engineers, systems software4091,770$70,460 - 109,92028%85%
48Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4046,670$32,850 - 65,85018%56%
49Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products4093,150$31,640 - 152,73012%51%
50Speech-language pathologists4066,760$49,780 - 84,31011%98%
51Dentists, general40192,310$111,720 - 9%100%
52Natural sciences managers3091,840$71,700 - 112,93011%93%
53Financial specialists, all other3079,370$34,630 - 12%50%
54Electrical engineers3073,340$65,470 - 84,0106%81%
55Financial analysts3076,410$32,590 - 122,61034%87%
56Engineering managers30124,680$92,100 - 7%84%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,84025,090$15,420 - 43,08012%25%
2Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,95016,710$15,060 - 19,86018%5%
3Cashiers1,89018,610$15,230 - 24,110-2%10%
4Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,26033,230$22,540 - 45,7401%18%
5Office clerks, general1,17027,520$16,210 - 42,85013%19%
6Stock clerks and order fillers1,04023,310$15,950 - 34,480-7%8%
7Waiters and waitresses1,01019,690$15,230 - 28,61011%14%
8Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners94022,780$16,290 - 33,80015%4%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand90025,270$16,150 - 39,4702%5%
10Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks77030,510$18,390 - 43,00013%16%
11Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants74026,500$19,560 - 33,18018%7%
12Customer service representatives74027,200$18,370 - 37,89025%22%
13Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer62033,600$21,660 - 48,31010%4%
14First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers59038,300$22,030 - 59,8404%25%
15Maintenance and repair workers, general55036,320$22,980 - 51,48010%6%
16Construction laborers52026,630$17,440 - 39,60011%5%
17First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers49041,170$26,630 - 61,4706%29%
18General and operations managers450101,280$50,280 - 2%48%
19Medical secretaries45026,540$20,570 - 36,18017%18%
20Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop45023,530$15,990 - 32,41010%8%
21Receptionists and information clerks44022,510$16,680 - 30,57017%13%
22Automotive service technicians and mechanics43035,640$20,860 - 51,69014%4%
23Bus drivers, school42021,650$15,050 - 32,9709%4%
24First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers42031,410$17,960 - 46,80011%14%
25Helpers--production workers40017,790$15,190 - 20,5900%4%
26Executive secretaries and administrative assistants39041,050$25,090 - 59,88015%18%
27Cooks, restaurant39022,860$17,080 - 29,99012%5%
28Landscaping and groundskeeping workers38024,720$17,490 - 35,68018%6%
29Food preparation workers36019,590$15,380 - 25,68015%7%
30Truck drivers, light or delivery services36039,030$19,090 - 62,2608%4%
31Electricians35042,780$25,270 - 66,1607%7%
32Teacher assistants35034,370$19,720 - 52,45010%18%
33Carpenters34036,070$23,760 - 62,21010%6%
34Medical assistants33028,560$21,100 - 38,64035%10%
35Counter and rental clerks32022,570$15,170 - 40,20023%16%
36Police and sheriff's patrol officers32055,490$35,120 - 79,91011%33%
37Team assemblers31025,960$18,530 - 37,4000%5%
38Maids and housekeeping cleaners28018,270$15,270 - 21,54013%5%
39First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers28056,430$35,320 - 80,4009%10%
40Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses28043,960$33,480 - 59,59014%7%
41Industrial truck and tractor operators28031,210$21,550 - 45,690-1%2%
42First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers26061,150$42,060 - 83,6707%13%
43Driver/sales workers25025,650$15,260 - 42,610-4%4%
44Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks25030,370$16,430 - 48,5604%6%
45Child care workers24023,880$15,190 - 39,99018%15%
46Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders23026,870$17,360 - 41,330-4%5%
47Security guards23024,470$17,870 - 32,37017%13%
48Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators23037,360$26,690 - 53,6508%3%
49Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists23025,940$15,630 - 40,36012%6%
50Sales representatives, services, all other22051,170$26,880 - 65,29028%48%
51Bill and account collectors22028,690$21,170 - 37,99023%13%
52Packers and packagers, hand22025,620$15,540 - 44,220-11%3%
53Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers22017,220$15,070 - 20,41012%6%
54Industrial machinery mechanics22049,730$39,890 - 62,3009%5%
55Radiologic technologists and technicians22061,030$43,870 - 92,40015%25%
56First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers22032,390$24,600 - 41,76013%11%
57Pharmacy technicians22025,450$15,880 - 32,74032%16%
58Dishwashers21017,560$15,210 - 20,62010%3%
59Tellers20022,520$18,210 - 27,19014%16%
60Bartenders20020,350$15,350 - 33,87011%17%
61First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers20053,010$32,640 - 79,030-4%15%
62Computer support specialists20049,580$29,690 - 68,65013%43%
63Telecommunications line installers and repairers20052,250$32,150 - 64,8905%8%
64Preschool teachers, except special education19020,830$15,480 - 30,33026%43%
65Assemblers and fabricators, all other19032,890$21,500 - 39,860-8%5%
66Billing and posting clerks and machine operators18031,120$22,510 - 42,0704%15%
67Postal service mail carriers180 1%11%
68Civil engineering technicians18042,420$30,690 - 56,79010%18%
69Business operations specialists, all other17061,550$42,420 - 81,58021%49%
70Insurance sales agents17059,850$29,540 - 116,93013%45%
71Data entry keyers16026,360$18,410 - 36,040-4%18%
72Cleaners of vehicles and equipment16021,570$15,310 - 30,37014%3%
73Legal secretaries16033,120$23,480 - 48,14012%18%
74Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15019,050$15,530 - 23,92010%17%
75Dental assistants14032,470$22,370 - 41,59029%9%
76Law clerks13038,690$27,940 - 54,5600%38%
77Crossing guards13026,350$20,570 - 32,1302%5%
78Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters13050,290$30,760 - 76,57011%4%
79Parts salespersons13031,560$16,030 - 51,000-1%6%
80Taxi drivers and chauffeurs12021,420$16,720 - 26,04013%15%
81Construction managers12081,680$47,630 - 132,43016%29%
82Food service managers12056,100$42,050 - 78,9305%24%
83First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators11049,740$28,240 - 80,60010%17%
84Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping11034,120$25,250 - 41,44011%29%
85Amusement and recreation attendants11020,430$15,340 - 31,24024%22%
86Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers11040,730$24,350 - 53,8303%13%
87Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks10019,920$16,090 - 24,84017%14%
88First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand10043,530$27,120 - 58,53013%17%
89Motor vehicle operators, all other10030,270$20,550 - 48,52011%0%
90Cooks, institution and cafeteria10030,200$19,050 - 45,12011%5%
91Cooks, fast food10019,460$15,160 - 27,6608%5%
92Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products10052,340$34,750 - 75,9000%42%
93Order clerks10026,400$15,750 - 38,990-23%16%
94Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers10037,360$23,750 - 51,360-6%14%
95Switchboard operators, including answering service10021,770$17,280 - 28,490-7%10%
96Recreation workers10028,710$17,540 - 46,60013%47%
97Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers90 3%25%
98Loan officers9052,500$19,540 - 89,47012%49%
99Paralegals and legal assistants9041,440$30,780 - 50,85022%45%
100Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers8026,400$18,520 - 34,09012%0%
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Jobs More Common Near Dover Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Law clerks38,69013012.8
Crossing guards26,3501306.1
Civil engineering technicians42,4201805.9
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health58,3401304.6
Motor vehicle operators, all other30,2701003.9
Education administrators, postsecondary92,0601103.7
Telecommunications line installers and repairers52,2502003.5
Child, family, and school social workers39,7603303.5
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers32,3902203.3
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation42,5102702.9
Radiologic technologists and technicians61,0302202.9
Bus drivers, school21,6504202.9
Medical secretaries26,5404502.7
Helpers--production workers17,7904002.5
Industrial machinery mechanics49,7302202.4
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop23,5304502.4
Educational, vocational, and school counselors53,7802002.3
Assemblers and fabricators, all other32,8901902.1
Civil engineers70,1602102.1
Elementary school teachers, except special education44,3101,0302.1
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other54,7101702.1
Medical and health services managers83,2801902
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders26,8702302
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,7101,9502
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs21,4201202
Counter and rental clerks22,5703201.9
Driver/sales workers25,6502501.9
Pharmacy technicians25,4502201.9
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive33,2301,2601.9
Medical assistants28,5603301.9
Automotive service technicians and mechanics35,6404301.8
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators37,3602301.8
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping34,1201101.8
Switchboard operators, including answering service21,7701001.8
Retail salespersons25,0902,8401.7
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists25,9402301.7
Food service managers56,1001201.7
Parts salespersons31,5601301.7
Legal secretaries33,1201601.7
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers61,1502601.6
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers40,7301101.6
Social and human service assistants28,3101801.6
Training and development specialists51,7601201.5
Data entry keyers26,3601601.5
Cashiers18,6101,8901.5
Electricians42,7803501.5
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants26,5007401.5
Stock clerks and order fillers23,3101,0401.5
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand43,5301001.5
Police and sheriff's patrol officers55,4903201.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Dover, Delaware Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Teacher assistants34,3701.54350
Truck drivers, light or delivery services39,0301.35360
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop23,5301.32450
Packers and packagers, hand25,6201.26220
Assemblers and fabricators, all other32,8901.24190
Child care workers23,8801.24240
Radiologic technologists and technicians61,0301.19220
Computer support specialists49,5801.18200
Food service managers56,1001.16120
Crossing guards26,3501.14130
Police and sheriff's patrol officers55,4901.14320
Telecommunications line installers and repairers52,2501.14200
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive33,2301.141,260
Industrial machinery mechanics49,7301.12220
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses43,9601.11280
Amusement and recreation attendants20,4301.1110
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants26,5001.1740
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters50,2901.09130
Office clerks, general27,5201.081,170
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers61,1501.07260
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop19,0501.07150
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,3701.07250
Insurance sales agents59,8501.06170
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants41,0501.06390
Maintenance and repair workers, general36,3201.06550
Cooks, restaurant22,8601.05390
Waiters and waitresses19,6901.051,010
General and operations managers101,2801.05450
Bartenders20,3501.05200
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand25,2701.05900
Business operations specialists, all other61,5501.05170
Educational, vocational, and school counselors53,7801.04200
Lawyers106,7001.04180
Industrial truck and tractor operators31,2101.04280
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers31,4101.04420
Parts salespersons31,5601.03130
Education administrators, postsecondary92,0601.03110
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists25,9401.03230
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders26,8701.03230
Retail salespersons25,0901.032,840
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21,5701.03160
Training and development specialists51,7601.03120
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31,1201.03180
Computer systems analysts70,5401.03220
Financial managers94,9601.02140
Stock clerks and order fillers23,3101.021,040
Food preparation workers19,5901.02360
Dishwashers17,5601.02210
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers24,7201.02380
Medical assistants28,5601.02330

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