How to become a state trooper in Delaware
The Delaware State Police (DSP) hires state troopers under the title State Trooper. New state troopers start at $91,265 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $91,265 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
DSP recruiting page and the 109th Recruit Class announcement list a starting/beginning salary of $91,265. No official trooper pay scale or top step found on an open page. Benefits listed: take-home vehicle, 12-hour shifts, six weeks paid vacation.
Source:[jobapscloud.com]
Pay for this work across Delaware
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Delaware, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 1,800 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $62,470 |
| Median pay | $92,970 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $130,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or GED plus 60 semester (90 quarter) college credits, or 30 credits with 2 years of active-duty military service (DSP page also allows 30 credits with 2 years as a DE certified police officer or an out-of-state trooper)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Must turn 21 before academy completion and be no older than 39 on the first day of the academy
- Valid driver's license with at least one year of driving experience and a good driving record
- Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualification
- Delaware residency required by academy completion
- Weight, hearing and vision standards; medical exam after conditional offer
Source:[jobapscloud.com]
Hiring process
- Application review
- Physical fitness test and written exam (same day)
- Pass 2 (Confidential Questionnaire) background packet
- Oral board interview
- Polygraph interview (second polygraph if needed)
- Background investigation
- Executive staff review
- Conditional offer with medical and psychological exams
- Final offer of hire; academy then 12 weeks of field training
Source:[jobapscloud.com]
Entrance exam
DSP Written Examination. Three multiple-choice parts: Written Test, Work Styles Inventory and Life Experience Survey. Fitness test: push-ups and sit-ups (one minute each) and 1.5-mile run.[dsp.delaware.gov]
Academy
22 weeks, paid. Approximately 22 weeks; recruits reside full-time at the training facility with weekends off; followed by 12 weeks of field training.[jobaps.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Delaware State Police Pension Plan (members first hired on or after July 1, 1980), 11 Del. C. ch. 83 subch. III
- Benefit formula: 2.5% of final average compensation per year of service up to 20 years, plus 3.5% per year above 20; final average compensation = highest 36 consecutive months (or three 12-month periods)
- When you can retire: Eligible with 20 years of credited service at any age, or 10 years and age 62, or age plus service (min. 10 years) of 75; mandatory retirement at age 55
Member contribution 7% of monthly compensation (since Jan. 1, 2001).
Source:[delcode.delaware.gov]