Salary & Cost of Living in Ellicott City, MD
Ellicott City, MD: $67,579 median salary, cost of living index 114.2, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$67,579
$32/hr
Cost of Living
114.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
2.8%
rate
Ellicott City, MD Overview
Population
73,272
Median Salary
$67,579
Average Salary
$75,688
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$429,000
Median Rent
$1,753/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
6%
Ellicott City is located in Maryland with a population of 73,272. The median household salary is $67,579 per year ($32/hour), which is $8,195 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Ellicott City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Ellicott City, MD based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $67,579 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 | $41,899 | $20.14/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $67,579 | $32.49/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $95,962 | $46.14/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $120,291 | $57.83/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.
Ellicott City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Ellicott City, MD, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,711
$4,309.24/month · $1,988.88/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.5%
Gross Pay
$67,579
Federal Tax
-$6,481
State Tax
-$3,886
Local Tax
-$331
FICA
-$5,170
Net Pay
$51,711
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,631.58 | $67,579.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$540.12 | -$6,481.38 |
| Maryland State Tax (5.75%) | -$323.82 | -$3,885.79 |
| Local Tax (0.49%) | -$27.59 | -$331.14 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$349.16 | -$4,189.90 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$81.66 | -$979.90 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,309.24 | $51,710.90 |
Salary Comparison: Ellicott City vs Other Cities
See how Ellicott City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City, MD | $67,579 | 114.2 | $59,176 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| East Windsor, NJ | $67,567 | 112.7 | $59,953 |
| Utica, NY | $67,553 | 131.3 | $51,449 |
| Westport, CT | $67,643 | 106 | $63,814 |
| Inglewood, CA | $67,491 | 146.6 | $46,038 |
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 Ellicott City
Ellicott City's cost of living index is 114.2 (national average = 100). Living in Ellicott City is 14.200000000000003% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$429,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,753
Annual Rent Cost
$21,036
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,711 annual take-home pay in Ellicott City has the purchasing power of approximately $45,281 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $77,175 in Ellicott City to match a $67,579 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Ellicott City
Ellicott City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $67,579.
Salary Tips for Ellicott City Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.75% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Ellicott City's top industries include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $67,579 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.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Ellicott City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Ellicott City-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 Ellicott City indexed at 114.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Ellicott City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $67,579 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland state income tax (5.75%), plus Ellicott City local tax of 0.49%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Ellicott City: 2.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Maryland.
- Housing context: median home price $429,000, median rent $1,753/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Ellicott City, MD:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Ellicott City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Ellicott City 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. Ellicott City'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 median salary in Ellicott City, MD?
The median salary in Ellicott City, MD is $67,579 per year, or $32 per hour. The average salary is $75,688. This is $8,195 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Ellicott City, MD?
Ellicott City's cost of living index is 114.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.200000000000003% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $429,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,753.
What are the best industries in Ellicott City?
The top industries in Ellicott City, MD include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $67,579.
How does Ellicott City's salary compare to other cities?
Ellicott City's median salary of $67,579 is 13.8% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 114.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,176.
What is the minimum wage in Ellicott City, MD?
The minimum wage in Ellicott City, 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.