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 figures are Salario estimates: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area wage series that covers Wheaton, MD.
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 annual wage across all occupations is $66,676 ($32.06/hour, Salario estimate), which is $15,696 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 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Wheaton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wheaton, MD built around the $66,676 median salary (Salario estimate). 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 | $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%) are Salario approximations of the typical all-occupations wage spread in BLS OEWS metro tables; only the median row is a published BLS value where BLS covers the metro, which is not the case here. 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
$52,008
$4,333.97/month · $2,000.29/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.0%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,000.29 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
$66,676
Federal Tax
-$5,839
State Tax
-$2,955
Local Tax
-$773
FICA
-$5,101
Net Pay
$52,008
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,556.33 | $66,676.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$486.56 | -$5,838.72 |
| Maryland State Tax (4.43% eff.) | -$246.29 | -$2,955.49 |
| 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 | $4,333.97 | $52,007.63 |
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 | $50,980 | 100 | $50,980 |
| West Haven, CT | $66,683 | 108.8 | $61,290 |
| Middletown, NJ | $66,624 | 118.9 | $56,034 |
| Boston, MA | $66,620 | 152 | $43,829 |
| Cambridge, MA | $66,620 | 170 | $39,188 |
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 $52,008 annual take-home pay in Wheaton has the purchasing power of approximately $44,989 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 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. 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: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area series covering Wheaton, so the median and average salary here are Salario estimates built from state and regional wage references, not BLS survey values. The entry/senior/top-10% rows and paycheck estimate are Salario calculations built on that estimate. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Wheaton indexed at 115.6.
- Median salary: $66,676 annual, $32.06 hourly, Salario estimate.
- Tax burden reflects Maryland 2026 state income tax brackets and standard deduction (top rate 6.5%), 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 Harlan Voss · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026) where available · 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 estimated at $32.06 per hour (Salario model; BLS does not publish a metropolitan-area series for this city). 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 (Salario estimate). The average salary is $74,677. This is $15,696 above the BLS national median of $50,980.
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 30.8% above the national median of $50,980. 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.