Wilmington Released Full City Salary Data
Public records reveal compensation figures for 1,040 city employees as Wilmington manages its latest budget.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Jobs — General
Live Poll
Do you believe the top salaries for local government employees in your area are appropriate?
The city of Wilmington has released salary data for its 1,040 employees, showing pay ranging from $5,469 to $288,401. The disclosure comes as the city balances a $349.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27.
Why it matters
The release highlights the city's financial priorities, which include a $16.5 million investment in a living wage strategy to bolster recruitment and retention. This spending plan also accounts for $3.5 million in absorbed health insurance cost increases.
The city employs 1,040 individuals, with 186 employees earning over $100,000 annually. Meanwhile, the city reduced 20 positions through an organizational realignment process.
The players
Becky Hawke
She serves as the Wilmington city manager, a position she was unanimously approved for by the City Council on May 20, 2025.
Bill Saffo
He is the mayor of Wilmington and receives an annual stipend for his service to the city.
Thom Moton Jr.
He has served as the deputy city manager for Wilmington since his hiring in 2018.
Meredith Everhart
She began her service as the city attorney for Wilmington on May 2, 2023.
The details
City Manager Becky Hawke leads the salary list with $288,401 annually, while elected officials earn significantly less, with Mayor Bill Saffo receiving a $31,783 stipend and City Council members receiving $25,970. The budget also reflects a net reduction of 20 positions across municipal operations.
Timeline
2018: Thom Moton Jr. was hired as deputy city manager.
2022: Mary Vigue and Jon Mason were hired.
May 2, 2023: Meredith Everhart began service as city attorney.
May 20, 2025: Becky Hawke was approved as city manager.
Fiscal year 2026-27: The current city budget period.
Market Landscape
The disclosure aligns with the city's broader efforts to stabilize its workforce through a $16.5 million living wage strategy. This move positions the municipality to compete for talent while navigating a tight budget that includes significant health insurance cost absorption.
Residents can monitor how their tax dollars are allocated across the 1,040-person workforce, which impacts the overall city service levels and budget efficiency. The transparency provided by the public records request allows citizens to hold local government accountable for its $349.8 million fiscal plan.
The takeaway
Transparency regarding public sector compensation helps citizens understand how municipal budgets are prioritized. Tracking these figures is essential for evaluating whether administrative spending effectively supports broader community goals like living wage initiatives.
Further reading
For more information on employment trends, visit the Jobs — General section.
More information
To explore individual earnings within the municipal government, view city employee salary database.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Starnewsonline.
Live Poll
Do you believe the top salaries for local government employees in your area are appropriate?
