Salary & Cost of Living in Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg, MD: $69,866 median salary, cost of living index 118.5, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$69,866
$34/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
$69,866
Average Salary
$78,250
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 household salary is $69,866 per year ($34/hour), which is $10,482 above the national median of $59,384. 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 based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,866 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 | $43,317 | $20.83/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,866 | $33.59/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $99,210 | $47.70/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $124,361 | $59.79/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.
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
$52,241
$4,353.41/month · $2,009.26/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.2%
Gross Pay
$69,866
Federal Tax
-$6,985
State Tax
-$4,017
Local Tax
-$1,279
FICA
-$5,345
Net Pay
$52,241
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,822.17 | $69,866.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$582.04 | -$6,984.52 |
| Maryland State Tax (5.75%) | -$334.77 | -$4,017.30 |
| Local Tax (1.83%) | -$106.55 | -$1,278.55 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$360.97 | -$4,331.69 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.42 | -$1,013.06 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,353.41 | $52,240.89 |
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 | $69,866 | 118.5 | $58,959 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Eagan, MN | $69,867 | 104.9 | $66,603 |
| Chillum, MD | $69,869 | 104.3 | $66,988 |
| Naugatuck, CT | $69,863 | 106.6 | $65,538 |
| North Hempstead, NY | $69,856 | 141.3 | $49,438 |
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 $52,241 annual take-home pay in Gaithersburg has the purchasing power of approximately $44,085 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $82,791 in Gaithersburg to match a $69,866 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 $69,866.
Salary Tips for Gaithersburg 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. Gaithersburg's top industries include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,866 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: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Gaithersburg-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 Gaithersburg indexed at 118.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Gaithersburg's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,866 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland state income tax (5.75%), 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 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 Gaithersburg, MD?
The median salary in Gaithersburg, MD is $69,866 per year, or $34 per hour. The average salary is $78,250. This is $10,482 above the national median of $59,384.
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 $69,866.
How does Gaithersburg's salary compare to other cities?
Gaithersburg's median salary of $69,866 is 17.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 118.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $58,959.
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.