Accountant Salary in Maryland: $86,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $86,939/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $79,542 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($92,731), Gaithersburg ($92,130), Germantown ($92,065).
In Maryland, the average median salary for accountants in 2026 is projected to be $86,938, which is slightly above the national median of $85,864, indicating a 1.3% higher earning potential than the national average. Salary differences among cities in the state are notable, with Aspen Hill having the highest salary at $95,151, while Hagerstown presents the lowest at $77,214. This $17,937 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for accounting services, and the density of businesses in more affluent areas. Maryland has specific state licensing requirements, and understanding scope of practice laws is essential for accountants operating here. The demand for accounting professionals is driven by the state’s diverse economy, featuring sectors such as government contracting, healthcare, and tech businesses. The projected annual compound growth rate for accounting jobs in Maryland stands at 2.61%, indicating a continued need for professionals in this field. With a total employment of 15,243 accountants in various metropolitan areas, the job market in Maryland shows a solid outlook, particularly in cities like Gaithersburg, Germantown, Ellicott City, and Waldorf, all of which offer salaries in the mid-ninety-thousands, reflecting a robust demand for skilled accountants.
Maryland Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $51,305 (lowest entry-level) to $160,841 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland accountants earn 1.25% more than the national median (+$1,075/year difference).
Maryland Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Maryland range from $60,090 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $149,129 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $86,939. The Maryland median is $1,075 above the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $41.80/hr. Approximately 15,243 accountants are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,437
2025 BLS Actual
$84,727
2026 Current Est.
$86,939
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,313 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,152 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,727 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,208 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $72,437 (2019) to $84,727 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,771 (23.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $77,214 |
| Salisbury | $78,291 |
| Cumberland | $86,867 |
| Towson | $87,044 |
| Baltimore | $87,383 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $93,621 | 100.76 | $92,915 |
| Aspen Hill | $95,151 | 109.3 | $87,055 |
| Gaithersburg | $94,535 | 109.3 | $86,491 |
| Germantown | $94,468 | 109.3 | $86,430 |
| Ellicott City | $94,252 | 109.3 | $86,232 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,090 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $86,939 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $149,129 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $95,151 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $94,535 |
| 3 | Germantown | $94,468 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $94,252 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $94,156 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $93,836 |
| 7 | Lexington Park | $93,621 |
| 8 | Bowie | $93,390 |
| 9 | Glen Burnie | $93,100 |
| 10 | Frederick | $91,814 |
| 11 | Annapolis | $91,795 |
| 12 | Severn | $91,792 |
| 13 | College Park | $91,612 |
| 14 | Rockville | $91,494 |
| 15 | Silver Spring | $91,450 |
| 16 | Potomac | $91,015 |
| 17 | Bethesda | $90,648 |
| 18 | Dundalk | $90,648 |
| 19 | Odenton | $90,338 |
| 20 | Catonsville | $89,602 |
| 21 | Laurel | $89,151 |
| 22 | Columbia | $88,959 |
| 23 | Greenbelt | $88,857 |
| 24 | Baltimore | $87,383 |
| 25 | Towson | $87,044 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $86,867 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $78,291 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $77,214 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced accountants.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Maryland in 2026?
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How does Maryland accountant pay compare to the national average?
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Which Maryland city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov