Salaries in Bear CDP, DE
What every job actually pays โ cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data
Bear CDP, Delaware, isn't the first place you'd think of for a tech salary, but the data shows it punches way above its weight. The median household income here is nearly $89,000, which is genuinely surprising for a town of just 22,000 people. Itโs a quiet pocket of financial stability in the mid-Atlantic.
Don't let the 103.5 cost of living index fool youโitโs only 3.5% above the national average. Thatโs a bargain compared to nearby Philadelphia or Baltimore. For software developers earning a COL-adjusted $124,247, that means real purchasing power. Even the median income buys you a decent one-bedroom apartment for $1,242 a month with money left over, which you canโt say for many suburbs this close to a major city.
So whoโs fueling this? Bear sits in the heart of New Castle County, a corridor for corporate offices, logistics giants like Amazon, and healthcare systems. The top earners here are the ones youโd expect: software developers, accountants, and nurses. It's less about a single local industry and more about the spillover from the broader metro economy, where you can command city-lite salaries without the city price tag.
Hereโs the honest catch: wages for teachers and electricians, at around $62,000, feel tight against that median. The city works if you're in a high-demand professional field; if you're not, the cost of living feels steeper than the index suggests. Itโs a great place to build a career if youโre already on that upward track.
The numbers below break down exactly where you stand, from top-paying jobs to the real cost of living in Bear.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Bear CDP
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Software Developer
Accountant
Registered Nurse
Elementary School Teacher
Electrician
๐ Complete Salary Guide โ All 27 Occupations in Bear CDP
COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (104/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.
| # | Occupation โ | Raw Salary โ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developer | $128,596 |
| 2 | Accountant | $86,983 |
| 3 | Registered Nurse | $86,973 |
| 4 | Elementary School Teacher | $64,338 |
| 5 | Electrician | $62,196 |
| 6 | Real Estate Agent | $62,125 |
| 7 | Heavy Truck Driver | $53,647 |
| 8 | Paralegal | $50,525 |
| 9 | Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $50,525 |
| 10 | Welder | $50,525 |
| 11 | Construction Manager | $50,525 |
| 12 | Police Officer | $50,525 |
| 13 | Project Manager | $50,525 |
| 14 | Graphic Designer | $50,525 |
| 15 | Data Analyst | $50,525 |
| 16 | Plumber | $50,525 |
| 17 | Physical Therapist | $50,525 |
| 18 | Dental Hygienist | $50,525 |
| 19 | Carpenter | $50,525 |
| 20 | Human Resources Specialist | $50,525 |
| 21 | Financial Analyst | $50,525 |
| 22 | Pharmacist | $50,525 |
| 23 | HVAC Technician | $50,525 |
| 24 | Web Developer | $50,525 |
| 25 | Firefighter | $50,525 |
| 26 | Marketing Manager | $50,525 |
| 27 | Medical Assistant | $50,525 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in Bear CDP
๐งฎ Can You Afford to Live in Bear CDP?
Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Bear CDP. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.
โ Bear CDP Salary FAQ
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๐ Editor's Verdict: Is Bear CDP Worth It?
Hereโs my take: Bear isnโt a bargain. With a 103.5 cost-of-living index and rent at $1,242 a month, the $57,605 average salary doesnโt stretch far. Tech is the clear exception; Software Developers are pulling down $128,596, and even after adjusting for COL, theyโre still winning at $124,247. For healthcare and trades, the math is tougherโyou'll need to hustle or commute to make it work.
If youโre in tech, Bear is a solid base. For everyone else, itโs a tougher sell. My verdict? Itโs worth it if your earnings are well above the local average, especially in tech.
Advice: Donโt move here for a job that pays under $70k. If you do, negotiate hard or have a roommate.