Baltimore Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Baltimore, MD: $27.88/hr median hourly wage, $58,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 108, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Maryland taxes.
Baltimore Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Baltimore, MD is $27.88/hr, equivalent to $58,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.29/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $39.59/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$58,000
$27.88/hr
Cost of Living
108
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Baltimore, MD Overview
Population
585,708
Median Salary
$58,000
Average Salary
$65,000
Avg Commute
30 min
Median Home Price
$210,000
Median Rent
$1,300/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
6%
Baltimore is located in Maryland with a population of 585,708. The median household salary is $58,000 per year ($27.88/hour), which is $1,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 30 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Baltimore Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Baltimore, MD based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $58,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $35,960 | $17.29/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $58,000 | $27.88/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $82,360 | $39.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $103,240 | $49.63/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Baltimore Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Baltimore, MD, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$44,317
$3,693.08/month · $1,704.50/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,704.50 take-home per paycheck after estimated Maryland and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$58,000
Federal Tax
-$4,780
State Tax
-$2,610
Local Tax
-$1,856
FICA
-$4,437
Net Pay
$44,317
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,833.33 | $58,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$398.33 | -$4,780.00 |
| Maryland State Tax (4.5%) | -$217.50 | -$2,610.00 |
| Local Tax (3.2%) | -$154.67 | -$1,856.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$299.67 | -$3,596.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$70.08 | -$841.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,693.08 | $44,317.00 |
Salary Comparison: Baltimore vs Other Cities
See how Baltimore's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | $58,000 | 108 | $53,704 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Escondido, CA | $58,000 | 135 | $42,963 |
| Newark, DE | $58,000 | 102 | $56,863 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $58,000 | 96 | $60,417 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $58,000 | 95 | $61,053 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Baltimore
Baltimore's cost of living index is 108 (national average = 100). Living in Baltimore is 8% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$210,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Annual Rent Cost
$15,600
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $44,317 annual take-home pay in Baltimore has the purchasing power of approximately $41,034 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $62,640 in Baltimore to match a $58,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Baltimore
Baltimore's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $58,000.
Salary Tips for Baltimore Workers
- Research top industries. Baltimore's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $58,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Job Salaries in Baltimore, MD
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Baltimore's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Baltimore salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Baltimore-MD metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Baltimore indexed at 108.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Baltimore's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $58,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland state income tax (4.5%), plus Baltimore local tax of 3.2%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Baltimore: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Education, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Maryland.
- Housing context: median home price $210,000, median rent $1,300/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Baltimore, MD:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Baltimore unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Baltimore QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Maryland — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Baltimore's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Maryland labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Baltimore, MD?
The median hourly wage in Baltimore, MD is $27.88 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $58,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.29/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $39.59/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Baltimore, MD?
The median salary in Baltimore, MD is $58,000 per year, or $27.88 per hour. The average salary is $65,000. This is $1,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Baltimore, MD?
Baltimore's cost of living index is 108 (national average = 100), meaning it is 8% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $210,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,300.
What are the best industries in Baltimore?
The top industries in Baltimore, MD include Healthcare, Education, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $58,000.
How does Baltimore's salary compare to other cities?
Baltimore's median salary of $58,000 is 2.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 108), the real purchasing power is approximately $53,704.
What is the minimum wage in Baltimore, MD?
The minimum wage in Baltimore, MD is $15.00 per hour. This equals approximately $31,200 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.