Gaithersburg Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Gaithersburg, MD: $34.16/hr median hourly wage, $71,060 median annual salary, cost of living index 118.5, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Maryland taxes.
Gaithersburg Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Gaithersburg, MD is $34.16/hr,and the median annual wage is $71,060. Entry-level pay estimates around $21.18/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $48.51/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median figures: BLS OEWS May 2025, all occupations, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area (3,136,190 jobs). BLS publishes wages by metro area, not by city, so Gaithersburg shares this figure with the rest of its metro. Entry and senior levels are Salario estimates.
Median Salary
$71,060
$34.16/hr
Cost of Living
118.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Gaithersburg, MD Overview
Population
67,417
Median Salary
$71,060
Average Salary
$91,930
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Rent
$1,814/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
6%
Gaithersburg is located in Maryland with a population of 67,417. The median annual wage across all occupations is $71,060 ($34.16/hour, BLS OEWS May 2025, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro), which is $20,080 above the national median of $50,980. The national median is the BLS OEWS May 2025 all-occupations median annual wage. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Gaithersburg Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Gaithersburg, MD built around the $71,060 median salary (BLS OEWS May 2025, all occupations, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro). Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile. The non-median rows are Salario estimates.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $44,057 | $21.18/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $71,060 | $34.16/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $100,905 | $48.51/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $126,487 | $60.80/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) are Salario approximations of the typical all-occupations wage spread in BLS OEWS metro tables; only the median row is a published BLS value. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Gaithersburg Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Gaithersburg, MD, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$54,357
$4,529.72/month · $2,090.64/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,090.64 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
$71,060
Federal Tax
-$6,803
State Tax
-$3,164
Local Tax
-$1,300
FICA
-$5,436
Net Pay
$54,357
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,921.67 | $71,060.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$566.93 | -$6,803.20 |
| Maryland State Tax (4.45% eff.) | -$263.64 | -$3,163.73 |
| Local Tax (1.83%) | -$108.37 | -$1,300.40 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$367.14 | -$4,405.72 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$85.86 | -$1,030.37 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,529.72 | $54,356.58 |
Salary Comparison: Gaithersburg vs Other Cities
See how Gaithersburg's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaithersburg, MD | $71,060 | 118.5 | $59,966 |
| National Average | $50,980 | 100 | $50,980 |
| Frederick, MD | $71,060 | 115 | $61,791 |
| Rockville, MD | $71,060 | 132 | $53,833 |
| Arlington, VA | $71,060 | 150 | $47,373 |
| Alexandria, VA | $71,060 | 140 | $50,757 |
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 Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg's cost of living index is 118.5 (national average = 100). Living in Gaithersburg is 18.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,814
Annual Rent Cost
$21,768
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $54,357 annual take-home pay in Gaithersburg has the purchasing power of approximately $45,871 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $84,206 in Gaithersburg to match a $71,060 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $71,060.
Salary Tips for Gaithersburg Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a top 6.5% 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. Gaithersburg's top industries include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $71,060 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 Gaithersburg salary data: The median annual wage, median hourly wage and mean wage are the official BLS OEWS May 2025 all-occupations values for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, retrieved from the BLS Public Data API on September 17, 2026. BLS does not publish city-level wages, so every city inside that metro shows the same figure. The entry/senior/top-10% rows, the paycheck estimate and the purchasing-power conversion are Salario calculations built on that median. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Gaithersburg indexed at 118.5.
- Median salary: $71,060 annual, $34.16 hourly, BLS OEWS May 2025, all occupations, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA (3,136,190 jobs surveyed). Mean wage $91,930 (BLS). Salario's previous modeled median for Gaithersburg was $69,866.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland 2026 state income tax brackets and standard deduction (top rate 6.5%), plus Gaithersburg local tax of 1.83%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Gaithersburg: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government, based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Maryland.
- Housing context: median home price $445,000, median rent $1,814/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Gaithersburg, MD:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Gaithersburg unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau, Gaithersburg 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. Gaithersburg'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 Harlan Voss · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026) · Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Gaithersburg, MD?
The median hourly wage in Gaithersburg, MD is $34.16 per hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median for all occupations in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, and the BLS median annual wage is $71,060. Entry-level workers are estimated around $21.18/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $48.51/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits (Salario estimates, not BLS percentiles).
What is the median salary in Gaithersburg, MD?
The median salary in Gaithersburg, MD is $71,060 per year, or $34.16 per hour (BLS OEWS May 2025, all occupations, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area). The BLS mean salary is $91,930. This is $20,080 above the BLS national median of $50,980.
What is the cost of living in Gaithersburg, MD?
Gaithersburg's cost of living index is 118.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 18.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $445,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,814.
What are the best industries in Gaithersburg?
The top industries in Gaithersburg, MD include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $71,060.
How does Gaithersburg's salary compare to other cities?
Gaithersburg's median salary of $71,060 is 39.4% above the national median of $50,980. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 118.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,966.
What is the minimum wage in Gaithersburg, MD?
The minimum wage in Gaithersburg, 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.