Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
65 Highest Paying Jobs in Baltimore, MD (2026)
The highest-paying job in Baltimore, MD, Maryland is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $307,400 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 65 tracked occupations the average median is $117,336, with 44 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 114.2 (national average = 100), so a $117,336 nominal salary equals $102,746 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 65 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Baltimore, MD, MD, from BLS OEWS data. Baltimore, MD's cost-of-living index runs 114.2 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Baltimore, MD, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Baltimore, MD
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Baltimore, MD's cost-of-living index of 114.2 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $307,400 · 10th–90th $136,250–$420,950 · 760 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Baltimore, MD earn $307,400 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $420,950. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $269,177 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $304,220 · 10th–90th $231,840–$469,430 · 90 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Baltimore, MD earn $304,220 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $469,430. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $266,392 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $172,110 · 10th–90th $62,090–$254,820 · 880 jobs in metro
Dentists in Baltimore, MD earn $172,110 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $254,820. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $150,709 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $168,520 · 10th–90th $105,750–$231,430 · 7,010 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Baltimore, MD earn $168,520 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $231,430. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $147,566 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $162,930 · 10th–90th $103,830–$211,500 · 700 jobs in metro
Veterinarians in Baltimore, MD earn $162,930 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $211,500. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $142,671 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $160,340 · 10th–90th $99,110–$218,400 · 2,480 jobs in metro
Computer Network Architects in Baltimore, MD earn $160,340 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $218,400. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $140,403 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $160,160 · 10th–90th $132,480–$245,650 · 420 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Baltimore, MD earn $160,160 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $245,650. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $140,245 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $157,990 · 10th–90th $86,240–$293,390 · 9,990 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Baltimore, MD earn $157,990 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $293,390. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $138,345 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $156,750 · 10th–90th $101,400–$197,050 · 1,070 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Baltimore, MD earn $156,750 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $197,050. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $137,259 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $146,370 · 10th–90th $87,150–$232,080 · 1,980 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Baltimore, MD earn $146,370 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $232,080. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $128,170 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (65 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $307,400 | $136,250–$420,950 | $269,177 | 760 |
| 2 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $304,220 | $231,840–$469,430 | $266,392 | 90 |
| 3 | Dentist | Healthcare | $172,110 | $62,090–$254,820 | $150,709 | 880 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $168,520 | $105,750–$231,430 | $147,566 | 7,010 |
| 5 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $162,930 | $103,830–$211,500 | $142,671 | 700 |
| 6 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $160,340 | $99,110–$218,400 | $140,403 | 2,480 |
| 7 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $160,160 | $132,480–$245,650 | $140,245 | 420 |
| 8 | Financial Manager | Finance | $157,990 | $86,240–$293,390 | $138,345 | 9,990 |
| 9 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $156,750 | $101,400–$197,050 | $137,259 | 1,070 |
| 10 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $146,370 | $87,150–$232,080 | $128,170 | 1,980 |
| 11 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $144,270 | $49,260–$173,240 | $126,331 | 330 |
| 12 | Marketing Manager | Management | $140,180 | $80,430–$241,500 | $122,750 | 3,430 |
| 13 | Software Developer | Technology | $138,900 | $87,290–$223,550 | $121,629 | 16,850 |
| 14 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $138,790 | $110,190–$172,540 | $121,532 | 1,660 |
| 15 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $138,170 | $78,110–$218,620 | $120,989 | 4,600 |
| 16 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $138,110 | $114,080–$168,010 | $120,937 | 2,730 |
| 17 | Sales Manager | Management | $135,910 | $65,770–$248,590 | $119,011 | 0 |
| 18 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $135,600 | $60,000–$179,050 | $118,739 | 9,010 |
| 19 | Data Scientist | Technology | $134,320 | $76,820–$227,250 | $117,618 | 1,090 |
| 20 | Lawyer | Legal | $132,400 | $85,620–$264,130 | $115,937 | 7,520 |
| 21 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $131,990 | $102,060–$168,770 | $115,578 | 3,800 |
| 22 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $129,880 | $80,350–$169,930 | $113,730 | 2,670 |
| 23 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $124,990 | $69,720–$224,520 | $109,448 | 8,060 |
| 24 | Database Architect | Technology | $123,730 | $75,570–$170,850 | $108,345 | 1,190 |
| 25 | Network Architect | Technology | $122,950 | $74,430–$192,160 | $107,662 | 4,620 |
| 26 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $119,990 | $80,650–$168,100 | $105,070 | 2,110 |
| 27 | Management Analyst | Management | $117,750 | $72,240–$163,890 | $103,109 | 8,500 |
| 28 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $117,040 | $58,350–$232,180 | $102,487 | 44,960 |
| 29 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $116,700 | $76,900–$174,920 | $102,189 | 3,050 |
| 30 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $116,650 | $66,630–$203,210 | $102,145 | 2,770 |
| 31 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $116,130 | $102,750–$125,040 | $101,690 | 1,900 |
| 32 | Architect | Engineering | $115,960 | $68,770–$181,280 | $101,541 | 1,140 |
| 33 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $113,880 | $58,460–$189,520 | $99,720 | 2,340 |
| 34 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $108,980 | $69,310–$176,570 | $95,429 | 6,850 |
| 35 | Statistician | Technology | $108,820 | $72,090–$161,470 | $95,289 | 420 |
| 36 | Web Designer | Technology | $107,590 | $63,200–$159,640 | $94,212 | 790 |
| 37 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $107,120 | $62,460–$198,010 | $93,800 | 1,590 |
| 38 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $106,420 | $70,330–$178,840 | $93,187 | 780 |
| 39 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $105,810 | $78,530–$138,630 | $92,653 | 2,050 |
| 40 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $105,490 | $74,050–$128,960 | $92,373 | 1,200 |
| 41 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $103,460 | $64,780–$159,950 | $90,595 | 260 |
| 42 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $102,980 | $55,910–$171,440 | $90,175 | 4,910 |
| 43 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $101,160 | $64,610–$125,160 | $88,581 | 1,830 |
| 44 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $100,500 | $75,990–$144,680 | $88,004 | 2,540 |
| 45 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $99,550 | $77,600–$125,020 | $87,172 | 30,930 |
| 46 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $98,970 | $48,110–$412,790 | $86,664 | 3,240 |
| 47 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $98,880 | $63,770–$192,950 | $86,585 | 3,040 |
| 48 | Web Developer | Technology | $96,760 | $60,810–$158,760 | $84,729 | 500 |
| 49 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $94,440 | $55,790–$184,100 | $82,697 | 2,350 |
| 50 | Writer/Author | Creative | $87,020 | $56,680–$163,630 | $76,200 | 240 |
| 51 | Accountant | Finance | $85,160 | $59,170–$146,650 | $74,571 | 13,550 |
| 52 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $81,130 | $63,120–$105,710 | $71,042 | 0 |
| 53 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $78,350 | $61,660–$99,840 | $68,608 | 9,300 |
| 54 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $77,570 | $47,750–$133,870 | $67,925 | 1,880 |
| 55 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $76,400 | $49,420–$102,080 | $66,900 | 13,150 |
| 56 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $75,790 | $45,990–$107,120 | $66,366 | 1,350 |
| 57 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $74,620 | $45,450–$137,970 | $65,342 | 5,920 |
| 58 | Loan Officer | Finance | $68,470 | $33,610–$139,700 | $59,956 | 1,810 |
| 59 | Paralegal | Legal | $65,640 | $49,930–$97,510 | $57,478 | 3,880 |
| 60 | Electrician | Trades | $65,590 | $45,390–$113,090 | $57,434 | 6,930 |
| 61 | Plumber | Trades | $63,200 | $45,220–$102,640 | $55,342 | 5,220 |
| 62 | Carpenter | Trades | $62,380 | $42,840–$85,470 | $54,623 | 3,870 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $61,920 | $43,300–$95,280 | $54,221 | 1,290 |
| 64 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $57,930 | $33,350–$95,340 | $50,727 | 3,970 |
| 65 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $57,630 | $35,290–$80,800 | $50,464 | 6,340 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, MD's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Baltimore, MD's cost-of-living index of 114.2 is close to the U.S. average. Nominal salaries here translate roughly one-for-one into purchasing power; the COL-Adjusted column will be very close to the median column for every row.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Family Medicine Physician with five-plus years of experience in Baltimore, MD should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($364,175) or 90th percentile ($420,950), not the $307,400 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $307K Family Medicine Physician salary in Baltimore, MD (COL 114.2) translates to $269K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Family Medicine Physician in Baltimore, MD page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Baltimore, MD is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $307,400 and a 90th-percentile reading of $420,950. The role employs roughly 760 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
44 of the 65 BLS-tracked occupations in Baltimore, MD have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 65 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Baltimore, MD is $117,336. The cost-of-living index is 114.2, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $102,746 in equivalent purchasing power.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 114.2, near the national average. Nominal pay translates roughly to face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Family Medicine Physician, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Dentist occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.