Cost of hiring an accountant in Baltimore-Columbia, MD
The median accountant in Baltimore-Columbia earned $85,160 a year in May 2025[1]. That is 1.8% above the US median of $83,680, even though it is 4.7% below the Maryland statewide median of $89,370. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#58 of 521). It is the largest market for the job in Maryland: about 13,550 people, 52% of the Maryland total.
BLS occupation 13-2011, area Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Baltimore-Columbia against Maryland and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia, MD | $59,170 | $85,160 | $146,650 | |
| Maryland | $59,760 | $89,370 | $156,660 | |
| United States | $56,020 | $83,680 | $144,090 |
Accountants at the 90th percentile earn $146,650, 2.5 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.6. The middle half of accountants in Baltimore-Columbia earns $71,100–$108,640. The mean ($94,880) is 11% over the median, so a group of high earners pulls the average up; price a typical hire from the median.
What to budget for an accountant here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,170 | $4,931 | $28.45 | $84,529 |
| 25th percentile | $71,100 | $5,925 | $34.18 | $101,571 |
| Median | $85,160 | $7,097 | $40.94 | $121,657 |
| 75th percentile | $108,640 | $9,053 | $52.23 | $155,200 |
| 90th percentile | $146,650 | $12,221 | $70.50 | $209,500 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $14,060 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $23,480, or about $33,543 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Baltimore-Columbia
At the $85,160 median, a local hire costs about $121,657 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $36,497 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for accountants we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Baltimore-Columbia
Of the 17 roles we track in Baltimore-Columbia, this one ranks #2 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $103,720 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $37,600.
| Role | Median | vs accountant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +21.8% | 14,700 | |
| Accountant | this role | 13,550 | |
| Recruiter | -3.3% | 7,930 | |
| Executive Assistant | -8.0% | 8,260 | |
| Office Manager | -11.2% | 15,070 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -12.4% | 5,920 | |
| Paralegal | -22.9% | 3,880 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -27.4% | 11,340 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -29.2% | 840 | |
| HR Assistant | -32.4% | 660 | |
| Bookkeeper | -37.1% | 8,540 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -42.2% | 29,780 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -43.2% | 320 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -44.0% | 8,640 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -49.7% | 17,480 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -55.0% | 860 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -55.8% | 8,660 |
Other areas in Maryland
Across the 5 areas of Maryland with data for this job, the median runs from $75,250 in Hagerstown-Martinsburg to $91,240 in Lexington Park, a gap of $15,990 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Baltimore-Columbia | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | +7.1% | 360 | |
| Baltimore-Columbia, MD | this area | 13,550 | |
| Salisbury, MD | -10.4% | 390 | |
| Maryland (Nonmetro) | -10.5% | 710 | |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | -11.6% | 660 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an accountant in Baltimore-Columbia, MD?
About $121,657 a year at the median, or $10,138 a month: $85,160 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for accountants in Baltimore-Columbia?
The median was $85,160 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $59,170, the 90th $146,650, and the middle half earned $71,100 to $108,640.
Is Baltimore-Columbia cheaper than the rest of Maryland for accountants?
Yes, it costs less: a median of $85,160 against $89,370 statewide. Lexington Park pays the most ($91,240) and Hagerstown-Martinsburg the least ($75,250).
How many accountants work in Baltimore-Columbia?
BLS counts about 13,550 in the May 2025 survey. That is 52% of the Maryland total of 26,170.
Does an accountant cost more than a recruiter in Baltimore-Columbia?
Yes: $2,780 a year more at the median. The medians are $85,160 and $82,380.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-2011: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.