Wheaton Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Wheaton, MD: $32.06/hr median hourly wage, $66,676 median annual salary, cost of living index 115.6, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Maryland taxes.
Wheaton Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Wheaton, MD is $32.06/hr, equivalent to $66,676 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $19.88/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $45.53/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$66,676
$32.06/hr
Cost of Living
115.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Wheaton, MD Overview
Population
51,444
Median Salary
$66,676
Average Salary
$74,677
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$409,000
Median Rent
$1,662/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
6%
Wheaton is located in Maryland with a population of 51,444. The median household salary is $66,676 per year ($32.06/hour), which is $7,292 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Wheaton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wheaton, MD based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $66,676 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 | $41,339 | $19.88/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $66,676 | $32.06/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $94,680 | $45.53/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $118,683 | $57.07/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.
Wheaton Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Wheaton, MD, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,129
$4,260.77/month · $1,966.51/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.3%
Gross Pay
$66,676
Federal Tax
-$5,839
State Tax
-$3,834
Local Tax
-$773
FICA
-$5,101
Net Pay
$51,129
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,556.33 | $66,676.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$486.56 | -$5,838.72 |
| Maryland State Tax (5.75%) | -$319.49 | -$3,833.87 |
| Local Tax (1.16%) | -$64.45 | -$773.44 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$344.49 | -$4,133.91 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$80.57 | -$966.80 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,260.77 | $51,129.25 |
Salary Comparison: Wheaton vs Other Cities
See how Wheaton's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton, MD | $66,676 | 115.6 | $57,678 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| West Haven, CT | $66,683 | 108.8 | $61,290 |
| Baldwin Park, CA | $66,649 | 151.8 | $43,906 |
| Middletown, NJ | $66,624 | 118.9 | $56,034 |
| Riverton, UT | $66,576 | 99.1 | $67,181 |
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 Wheaton
Wheaton's cost of living index is 115.6 (national average = 100). Living in Wheaton is 15.599999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$409,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,662
Annual Rent Cost
$19,944
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,129 annual take-home pay in Wheaton has the purchasing power of approximately $44,229 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $77,077 in Wheaton to match a $66,676 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Wheaton
Wheaton's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $66,676.
Salary Tips for Wheaton 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. Wheaton's top industries include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $66,676 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 Wheaton salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Wheaton-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 Wheaton indexed at 115.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Wheaton's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $66,676 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland state income tax (5.75%), plus Wheaton local tax of 1.16%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Wheaton: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Maryland.
- Housing context: median home price $409,000, median rent $1,662/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Wheaton, MD:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Wheaton unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Wheaton 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. Wheaton'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 Wheaton, MD?
The median hourly wage in Wheaton, MD is $32.06 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $66,676 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $19.88/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $45.53/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Wheaton, MD?
The median salary in Wheaton, MD is $66,676 per year, or $32.06 per hour. The average salary is $74,677. This is $7,292 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Wheaton, MD?
Wheaton's cost of living index is 115.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 15.599999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $409,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,662.
What are the best industries in Wheaton?
The top industries in Wheaton, MD include Cybersecurity, Biotech, Government. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $66,676.
How does Wheaton's salary compare to other cities?
Wheaton's median salary of $66,676 is 12.3% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 115.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $57,678.
What is the minimum wage in Wheaton, MD?
The minimum wage in Wheaton, 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.