Jobs that actually got a raise in Maryland

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Maryland run 5.0% above the national average (2024), so a Maryland salary is worth about 0.95× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Maryland.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Maryland

OccupationMedian, Maryland · Real change since 2019

1Bartenders$37,580
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $69,730+38.6%+74.5% nominal
2Tire Repairers and Changers$44,430
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,670 – $63,730+38.0%+73.8% nominal
3Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$73,580
Master's degree
$38,100 – $104,000+34.6%+69.5% nominal
4Waiters and Waitresses$36,750
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $62,210+33.7%+68.3% nominal
5Massage Therapists$62,270
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,360 – $96,440+33.6%+68.2% nominal
6Manicurists and Pedicurists$37,300
Postsecondary nondegree award
$34,280 – $48,370+31.6%+65.7% nominal
7Residential Advisors$46,950
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,720 – $61,780+30.3%+64.1% nominal
8Amusement and Recreation Attendants$36,710
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $44,860+27.7%+60.8% nominal
9Medical Equipment Repairers$72,310
Associate's degree
$46,600 – $99,660+27.3%+60.3% nominal
10Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$58,420
No formal educational credential
$38,170 – $87,360+26.5%+59.4% nominal
11Driver/Sales Workers$38,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,770 – $58,520+26.3%+59.0% nominal
12Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$37,020
No formal educational credential
$31,840 – $45,930+25.5%+58.0% nominal
13Family Medicine Physicians$285,730
Doctoral or professional degree
$124,790 – $403,880+23.3%+55.3% nominal
14Coaches and Scouts$50,590
Bachelor's degree
$32,820 – $110,620+23.2%+55.1% nominal
15Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$106,090
High school diploma or equivalent
$62,160 – $124,750+23.2%+55.2% nominal
16Veterinarians$163,170
Doctoral or professional degree
$104,030 – $214,960+23.0%+54.9% nominal
17Recreation Workers$37,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,390 – $56,160+22.4%+54.1% nominal
18Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$36,650
No formal educational credential
$31,840 – $42,930+22.1%+53.7% nominal
19Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$65,220
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,770 – $92,320+19.7%+50.8% nominal
20Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,450
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,400 – $65,180+19.7%+50.7% nominal
21Childcare Workers$36,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,570 – $47,280+18.7%+49.5% nominal
22Helpers--Production Workers$44,680
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,210 – $61,060+18.6%+49.3% nominal
23Audio and Video Technicians$70,040
Postsecondary nondegree award
$47,720 – $102,300+17.7%+48.2% nominal
24Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$46,470
Bachelor's degree
$32,870 – $47,360+17.2%+47.6% nominal
25Gambling Dealers$31,740
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,200 – $61,920+17.1%+47.5% nominal
26Self-Enrichment Teachers$51,630
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,050 – $106,600+16.1%+46.3% nominal
27Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$34,520
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $40,550+16.1%+46.2% nominal
28Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$34,860
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $38,180+16.0%+46.1% nominal
29Dishwashers$34,030
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $38,040+15.6%+45.6% nominal
30Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$43,370
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,490 – $60,350+15.6%+45.5% nominal
31Stockers and Order Fillers$37,690
No formal educational credential
$31,770 – $48,910+15.5%+45.5% nominal
32Landscape Architects$92,880
Bachelor's degree
$59,010 – $136,450+15.5%+45.4% nominal
33Health Education Specialists$104,470
Bachelor's degree
$56,160 – $161,470+15.4%+45.3% nominal
34Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$37,500
No formal educational credential
$31,720 – $48,250+15.3%+45.2% nominal
35Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$44,360
No formal educational credential
$36,470 – $60,860+15.1%+45.0% nominal
36Cashiers$34,390
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $39,770+15.1%+45.0% nominal
37Parking Attendants$35,210
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $46,960+15.0%+44.8% nominal
38Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$46,170
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,050 – $60,840+14.8%+44.5% nominal
39Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34,710
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $39,800+14.4%+44.1% nominal
40Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41,600
No formal educational credential
$34,280 – $55,710+14.0%+43.5% nominal
41Retail Salespersons$35,510
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $46,130+13.8%+43.4% nominal
42Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$74,790
High school diploma or equivalent
$50,010 – $97,800+13.6%+43.0% nominal
43Home Health and Personal Care Aides$38,040
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,540 – $46,880+12.9%+42.2% nominal
44Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$82,850
Doctoral or professional degree
$48,630 – $166,460+12.7%+42.0% nominal
45Fast Food and Counter Workers$33,660
No formal educational credential
$31,200 – $37,390+12.4%+41.5% nominal
46Instructional Coordinators$102,220
Master's degree
$49,440 – $143,670+11.2%+40.0% nominal
47Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$44,600
Associate's degree
$35,760 – $67,510+11.1%+39.9% nominal
48Social and Human Service Assistants$47,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,990 – $68,890+10.9%+39.6% nominal
49Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,670
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,270 – $69,620+10.9%+39.7% nominal
50Tellers$46,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,060 – $55,900+10.7%+39.4% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianMaryland	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$37,580	$31,200 – $69,730	+38.6%+74.5% nominal
2	Tire Repairers and ChangersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,430	$35,670 – $63,730	+38.0%+73.8% nominal
3	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree	$73,580	$38,100 – $104,000	+34.6%+69.5% nominal
4	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$36,750	$31,200 – $62,210	+33.7%+68.3% nominal
5	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,270	$35,360 – $96,440	+33.6%+68.2% nominal
6	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,300	$34,280 – $48,370	+31.6%+65.7% nominal
7	Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,950	$32,720 – $61,780	+30.3%+64.1% nominal
8	Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$36,710	$31,200 – $44,860	+27.7%+60.8% nominal
9	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$72,310	$46,600 – $99,660	+27.3%+60.3% nominal
10	Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallNo formal educational credential	$58,420	$38,170 – $87,360	+26.5%+59.4% nominal
11	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,500	$31,770 – $58,520	+26.3%+59.0% nominal
12	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$37,020	$31,840 – $45,930	+25.5%+58.0% nominal
13	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$285,730	$124,790 – $403,880	+23.3%+55.3% nominal
14	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$50,590	$32,820 – $110,620	+23.2%+55.1% nominal
15	Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$106,090	$62,160 – $124,750	+23.2%+55.2% nominal
16	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$163,170	$104,030 – $214,960	+23.0%+54.9% nominal
17	Recreation WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,200	$32,390 – $56,160	+22.4%+54.1% nominal
18	Food Servers, NonrestaurantNo formal educational credential	$36,650	$31,840 – $42,930	+22.1%+53.7% nominal
19	Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$65,220	$46,770 – $92,320	+19.7%+50.8% nominal
20	Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,450	$35,400 – $65,180	+19.7%+50.7% nominal
21	Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,030	$31,570 – $47,280	+18.7%+49.5% nominal
22	Helpers--Production WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,680	$32,210 – $61,060	+18.6%+49.3% nominal
23	Audio and Video TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$70,040	$47,720 – $102,300	+17.7%+48.2% nominal
24	Substitute Teachers, Short-TermBachelor's degree	$46,470	$32,870 – $47,360	+17.2%+47.6% nominal
25	Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31,740	$31,200 – $61,920	+17.1%+47.5% nominal
26	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,630	$33,050 – $106,600	+16.1%+46.3% nominal
27	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNo formal educational credential	$34,520	$31,200 – $40,550	+16.1%+46.2% nominal
28	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopNo formal educational credential	$34,860	$31,200 – $38,180	+16.0%+46.1% nominal
29	DishwashersNo formal educational credential	$34,030	$31,200 – $38,040	+15.6%+45.6% nominal
30	Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,370	$36,490 – $60,350	+15.6%+45.5% nominal
31	Stockers and Order FillersNo formal educational credential	$37,690	$31,770 – $48,910	+15.5%+45.5% nominal
32	Landscape ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$92,880	$59,010 – $136,450	+15.5%+45.4% nominal
33	Health Education SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$104,470	$56,160 – $161,470	+15.4%+45.3% nominal
34	Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$37,500	$31,720 – $48,250	+15.3%+45.2% nominal
35	Helpers, Construction Trades, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$44,360	$36,470 – $60,860	+15.1%+45.0% nominal
36	CashiersNo formal educational credential	$34,390	$31,200 – $39,770	+15.1%+45.0% nominal
37	Parking AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$35,210	$31,200 – $46,960	+15.0%+44.8% nominal
38	Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,170	$36,050 – $60,840	+14.8%+44.5% nominal
39	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential	$34,710	$31,200 – $39,800	+14.4%+44.1% nominal
40	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandNo formal educational credential	$41,600	$34,280 – $55,710	+14.0%+43.5% nominal
41	Retail SalespersonsNo formal educational credential	$35,510	$31,200 – $46,130	+13.8%+43.4% nominal
42	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$74,790	$50,010 – $97,800	+13.6%+43.0% nominal
43	Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,040	$31,540 – $46,880	+12.9%+42.2% nominal
44	Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$82,850	$48,630 – $166,460	+12.7%+42.0% nominal
45	Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential	$33,660	$31,200 – $37,390	+12.4%+41.5% nominal
46	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$102,220	$49,440 – $143,670	+11.2%+40.0% nominal
47	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$44,600	$35,760 – $67,510	+11.1%+39.9% nominal
48	Social and Human Service AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,210	$36,990 – $68,890	+10.9%+39.6% nominal
49	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,670	$35,270 – $69,620	+10.9%+39.7% nominal
50	TellersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,010	$36,060 – $55,900	+10.7%+39.4% nominal

More for Maryland

Metro areas in Maryland

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Maryland

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Maryland to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Maryland

More for Maryland

Metro areas in Maryland

By field in Maryland

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state