Checked
Maryland Economy
Unemployment was 3.9% in Sep 2026, the 27th lowest of 51 states. Personal income averages $79,259 per person.
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%
- -0.4 pts in a year
- Labor force
- 3,201,550
- -0.8% in a year
- Income per person
- $79,259
- BEA, 2024
- Average annual pay
- $81,539
- QCEW, 2025
Unemployment rate in Maryland
Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.
Show as a table
| Period | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 3.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 4.2% |
| Dec 2024 | 3.4% |
| Dec 2023 | 2.7% |
| Dec 2022 | 2.5% |
| Dec 2021 | 3.5% |
| Dec 2020 | 6.6% |
| Dec 2019 | 3.2% |
| Dec 2018 | 3.6% |
| Dec 2017 | 4.1% |
| Dec 2016 | 4.2% |
| Dec 2015 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2014 | 5.4% |
| Dec 2013 | 6.1% |
| Dec 2012 | 6.8% |
Beta
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics ยท Last updated 09/01/2026
Share:
Counties in Maryland
Unemployment (Sep 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | County | Unemployment | 1 year | Labor force | Income per person | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery County | 3.2% | -1.0 pts | 560,766 | $104,882 | $96,368 |
| 2 | Prince George's County | 4.0% | -0.7 pts | 493,950 | $59,684 | $76,203 |
| 3 | Baltimore County | 3.6% | -0.8 pts | 450,376 | $78,953 | $74,175 |
| 4 | Anne Arundel County | 3.0% | -0.8 pts | 321,951 | $87,614 | $81,944 |
| 5 | Baltimore city | 4.6% | -0.9 pts | 284,870 | $69,564 | $87,200 |
| 6 | Howard County | 3.0% | -0.9 pts | 185,084 | $99,767 | $90,296 |
| 7 | Frederick County | 3.1% | -0.8 pts | 154,555 | $78,929 | $70,784 |
| 8 | Harford County | 3.1% | -0.8 pts | 143,898 | $74,919 | $68,699 |
| 9 | Carroll County | 2.7% | -0.7 pts | 96,682 | $78,696 | $59,307 |
| 10 | Charles County | 3.9% | -0.7 pts | 86,867 | $70,211 | $61,774 |
| 11 | Washington County | 3.6% | -1.1 pts | 70,911 | $59,536 | $59,257 |
| 12 | St. Mary's County | 3.0% | -0.8 pts | 57,828 | $73,314 | $87,584 |
| 13 | Wicomico County | 3.6% | -0.9 pts | 53,791 | $51,806 | $58,772 |
| 14 | Cecil County | 3.5% | -1.0 pts | 52,675 | $61,236 | $66,564 |
| 15 | Calvert County | 3.1% | -0.7 pts | 48,329 | $79,588 | $62,735 |
| 16 | Queen Anne's County | 2.8% | -0.7 pts | 29,334 | $86,365 | $57,331 |
| 17 | Worcester County | 3.3% | -0.9 pts | 28,416 | $73,572 | $47,233 |
| 18 | Allegany County | 4.5% | -1.1 pts | 24,111 | $52,707 | $53,825 |
| 19 | Talbot County | 3.3% | -1.0 pts | 17,747 | $102,548 | $59,230 |
| 20 | Caroline County | 3.4% | -0.8 pts | 15,772 | $59,692 | $55,633 |
| 21 | Dorchester County | 4.0% | -0.8 pts | 15,684 | $60,255 | $55,133 |
| 22 | Garrett County | 3.3% | -0.8 pts | 14,215 | $62,692 | $50,142 |
| 23 | Somerset County | 4.2% | -0.8 pts | 9,676 | $41,421 | $60,195 |
| 24 | Kent County | 3.6% | -1.0 pts | 9,088 | $80,878 | $55,247 |
Jobs and pay by industry in Maryland
Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Industry | Jobs | 1-year change | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 415,796 | +3.7% | $69,939 |
| Professional and technical services | 273,720 | -3.3% | $128,976 |
| Retail trade | 265,220 | -1.6% | $44,351 |
| Accommodation and food services | 225,144 | -0.7% | $31,262 |
| Administrative and support services | 165,669 | -3.5% | $62,434 |
| Construction | 165,130 | +0.5% | $86,149 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 99,729 | -0.9% | $62,879 |
| Other services | 93,815 | +0.9% | $61,221 |
| Wholesale trade | 85,450 | -2.5% | $105,768 |
| Finance and insurance | 82,003 | -1.5% | $148,627 |
| Educational services | 73,944 | +0.6% | $71,600 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 46,062 | +1.0% | $46,397 |
| Real estate and rental | 43,449 | +0.2% | $88,325 |
| Management of companies | 29,367 | -2.1% | $140,105 |
| Utilities | 10,306 | +4.5% | $169,444 |
Government employs 524,702 people (19.0% of all jobs): 151,248 federal, 108,520 state and 264,934 local.
Output and businesses in Maryland
Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau
- GDP
- $546B
- 2024, current dollars
- Real GDP growth
- +3.0%
- Adjusted for inflation
- Employer businesses
- 142,967
- 2,468,367 employees
- Professional and technical services21,69915.2%
- Health care and social assistance18,85913.2%
- Retail trade16,68711.7%
- Other services14,68010.3%
- Construction14,52810.2%
- Accommodation and food services12,7448.9%
- Administrative and support services8,3405.8%
- Real estate and rental7,4505.2%
- Finance and insurance7,0544.9%
- Wholesale trade4,8903.4%
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts; Census County Business Patterns 2023
Share:
Frequently asked questions
- What is the unemployment rate in Maryland?
- Maryland's unemployment rate was 3.9% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
- Which county in Maryland has the highest unemployment?
- Baltimore city has the highest rate at 4.6%, and Carroll County has the lowest at 2.7% (not seasonally adjusted).
- What is the largest industry in Maryland?
- Health care and social assistance is the largest private employer with 415,796 jobs, followed by professional and technical services (273,720) and retail trade (265,220).
- What is the average salary in Maryland?
- The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Maryland was $81,539 in 2025, or $1,568 a week.
- How big is Maryland's economy?
- Maryland's GDP was $546B in 2024, about $87,180 per resident.