Maryland Paycheck Calculator — State + County Tax on Every Check · Free 2026 MD Tool
Free Maryland paycheck calculator 2026. Enter your pay and instantly see your take-home after MD state, county, federal tax & FICA.
MD state tax: 2% – 5.75%
County tax: 2.25% – 3.2%
Combined: up to 8.95%
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Your Maryland Take-Home Pay (estimated)
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per paycheck
Gross Pay
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Total Taxes
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Effective Rate
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Full Paycheck Breakdown
Item
Amount
Gross Pay
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— Federal Income Tax
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— Maryland State Income Tax
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— Maryland County Income Tax
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— Social Security (6.2%)
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— Medicare (1.45%)
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— Pre-tax Deductions
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— Post-tax Deductions
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Net Take-Home Pay
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Disclaimer: Estimates only. Actual withholding may vary by county rate, W-4 elections, additional income, and payroll software. Consult a tax professional.
Note: If your actual paycheck is lower than this estimate, check your county tax rate, overtime, or pre-tax deduction differences against our pay stub guide.
⚠️ Maryland Has TWO Income Taxes on Your Paycheck
Unlike most states, Maryland withholds both a state income tax (2%–5.75%) AND a county or city income tax (2.25%–3.2%) from every paycheck. Both appear as separate lines on your pay stub. Select your county below to see the combined total. This dual tax is why Maryland paychecks are often lower than equivalent Virginia paychecks at the same salary.
✓ Reviewed for AccuracyReviewed by Jordan Ellis — Senior Payroll & Tax Analyst · Last reviewed: June 2026
Maryland is one of the few states that requires both state AND county income tax withholding on every paycheck. Select your county below — this is the most important input for an accurate Maryland take-home estimate, since county rates vary from 2.25% to 3.2%. See our pay stub explainer for what these two tax lines look like in practice, or see how a different state compares using the main calculator.
Section 2
Maryland State & County Tax Rates 2026
Maryland is unique among U.S. states — it requires both a state income tax AND a separate county (or Baltimore City) income tax, both withheld from every paycheck. Understanding both layers is essential for calculating your accurate Maryland take-home pay.
Maryland State Income Tax Brackets (2026)
Tax Rate
Single / MFS Income Range
MFJ / HOH Income Range
2%
$0 – $1,000
$0 – $1,000
3%
$1,001 – $2,000
$1,001 – $2,000
4%
$2,001 – $3,000
$2,001 – $3,000
4.75%
$3,001 – $100,000
$3,001 – $150,000
5%
$100,001 – $125,000
$150,001 – $175,000
5.25%
$125,001 – $150,000
$175,001 – $225,000
5.5%
$150,001 – $250,000
$225,001 – $300,000
5.75%
Over $250,000
Over $300,000
Maryland County Income Tax Rates by County (2026)
County / City
Local Rate
Combined Top Rate (State+Local)
Annual Local Tax (~$75k income)
Rate Tier
Baltimore City
3.20%
8.95%
~$2,190/yr
Highest
Howard County
3.20%
8.95%
~$2,190/yr
Highest
Montgomery County
3.20%
8.95%
~$2,190/yr
Highest
Prince George's County
3.20%
8.95%
~$2,190/yr
Highest
Cecil County
2.90%
8.65%
~$1,985/yr
High
Charles County
3.00%
8.75%
~$2,053/yr
High
Harford County
3.00%
8.75%
~$2,053/yr
High
Frederick County
2.96%
8.71%
~$2,026/yr
High
Baltimore County
2.83%
8.58%
~$1,937/yr
Moderate
Anne Arundel County
2.81%
8.56%
~$1,923/yr
Moderate
Washington County
2.80%
8.55%
~$1,916/yr
Moderate
Carroll County
2.63%
8.38%
~$1,799/yr
Moderate
Somerset County
2.40%
8.15%
~$1,642/yr
Low
Kent County
2.40%
8.15%
~$1,642/yr
Low
Wicomico County
2.38%
8.13%
~$1,628/yr
Low
Talbot County
2.35%
8.10%
~$1,607/yr
Low
Queen Anne's County
2.34%
8.09%
~$1,601/yr
Low
St. Mary's County
2.30%
8.05%
~$1,574/yr
Low
Dorchester County
2.27%
8.02%
~$1,553/yr
Low
Garrett County
2.25%
8.00%
~$1,539/yr
Low
Worcester County
2.23%
7.98%
~$1,526/yr
Lowest
Maryland standard deduction (2026): Maryland reformed its standard deduction for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024: it's now a flat $3,350 (single) / $6,700 (married) — no more income-based phase-in. Maryland also provides a personal exemption of $3,200 per exemption (reduced for higher incomes). These apply to both state and county tax calculations. Our calculator applies the standard deduction automatically.
Important — County of Residence, Not Work: Maryland's county tax is based on where you live, not where you work. If you live in Frederick County (2.96%) but commute to Montgomery County, you pay Frederick County's rate — not Montgomery's 3.2%. Make sure your employer has your correct county of residence on file. The county is declared on your Maryland MW-507 withholding form.
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Form MW-507 — MD Withholding
Maryland employees complete Form MW-507 (Employee's Maryland Withholding Exemption Certificate) alongside the federal W-4. On MW-507, you declare your county of residence — which sets your local tax rate — plus personal exemptions and any additional withholding. Review your MW-507 whenever you move to a different Maryland county, since your county tax rate changes with your residence address, not your workplace.
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Baltimore City vs Baltimore County
Baltimore City workers face the maximum 3.2% local tax — the same as Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties. However, Baltimore County (a separate jurisdiction surrounding the city) is lower at 2.83%. Many workers confuse these two. If you live inside Baltimore City limits, you pay 3.2%. If you live in Baltimore County suburbs, you pay 2.83% — saving approximately $280/year at $75,000 income.
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Nonresident MD Tax Rate
If you live outside Maryland but work in Maryland (e.g., a DC, Virginia, Delaware, or Pennsylvania resident), you pay Maryland state income tax on MD-earned wages but are subject to a flat nonresident county tax rate of 2.25% — rather than the rate of any specific county. This nonresident rate appears on the MW-507 nonresident section and is applied uniformly regardless of which Maryland county you work in.
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Worcester County — Lowest Rate
Worcester County (2.23%) and Garrett County (2.25%) have Maryland's lowest local tax rates — saving approximately $650–$665/year compared to Montgomery County or Baltimore City at the same $75,000 income. Ocean City is in Worcester County — beach community workers enjoy the lowest local tax in Maryland, though this is often offset by seasonal employment patterns and housing costs.
Maryland County Guides
Maryland Take-Home Pay by County — 2026
Maryland's county income tax varies by up to $665/year at the same salary. Here's what workers in the most-searched Maryland counties and cities need to know about their specific take-home pay situation.
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Montgomery County Paycheck Calculator — 3.2% Local Tax
Montgomery County workers face Maryland's maximum local income tax rate of 3.20% on top of the state tax (up to 5.75%), for a combined top rate of 8.95%. Montgomery County also has its own minimum wage of $16.70/hr (2026) — significantly above the state $15.00/hr floor. At $80,000 salary, a Montgomery County resident pays approximately $2,560/year in county income tax alone. Federal government and contractor employees in Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Gaithersburg are heavily impacted by this combined rate.
Local rate: 3.20%Min. wage: $16.70/hrCombined top: 8.95%Key cities: Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring
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Baltimore City Paycheck Calculator — 3.2% Local Tax
Baltimore City workers pay a local income tax rate of 3.20% — matching the highest rate in Maryland. Unlike county residents, Baltimore City residents pay the city rate regardless of where in the city they work. At $65,000 salary, a Baltimore City resident pays approximately $2,080/year in city income tax. A common confusion: Baltimore City and Baltimore County are separate jurisdictions. If your address says "Baltimore" but you're in the suburbs (Towson, Catonsville, Essex), you may be in Baltimore County at the lower 2.83% rate — check your mailing address carefully on your MW-507.
City rate: 3.20%Combined top: 8.95%≠ Baltimore County (2.83%)
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Prince George's County Paycheck Calculator — 3.2% Local Tax
Prince George's County workers pay a local income tax rate of 3.20% and benefit from a county minimum wage of $16.20/hr (2026) — above the state floor. PG County is home to a large concentration of federal government workers, particularly near the Beltway, College Park, Hyattsville, and Largo. At $75,000 salary, a PG County resident pays approximately $2,190/year in county income tax. Workers near the DC border who could also live in DC should note that DC's income tax (up to 10.75%) is significantly higher than Maryland's combined rate for most income levels.
Local rate: 3.20%Min. wage: $16.20/hrKey areas: College Park, Hyattsville, Largo
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Baltimore County Paycheck Calculator — 2.83% Local Tax
Baltimore County (the ring of suburbs surrounding Baltimore City — including Towson, Catonsville, Parkville, Essex, and Owings Mills) has a local income tax rate of 2.83% — lower than the city's 3.2%. At $75,000 salary, a Baltimore County resident pays approximately $1,937/year in county tax, saving about $253/year compared to living inside Baltimore City. Baltimore County uses state minimum wage ($15.00/hr) with no county override.
Local rate: 2.83%Saves ~$253/yr vs Baltimore CityKey areas: Towson, Catonsville, Owings Mills
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Anne Arundel County Paycheck Calculator — 2.81% Local Tax
Anne Arundel County (Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severn, Pasadena) has a local income tax rate of 2.81% — one of the lower rates in the DC-Baltimore corridor. At $75,000 salary, a Anne Arundel County resident pays approximately $1,923/year in county tax. Anne Arundel workers who commute to Baltimore City or Montgomery County pay their home county rate (2.81%), not the work county rate — a significant advantage for commuters working in higher-rate counties.
Local rate: 2.81%Key areas: Annapolis, Glen Burnie, SevernGood for Baltimore/DC commuters
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Frederick & Howard County Paycheck Calculators
Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City) ties for Maryland's highest local rate at 3.20% — the same as Montgomery and PG County. Despite the high local rate, Howard County is consistently ranked among the wealthiest counties in the U.S., with high median incomes that partially offset the tax burden. Frederick County (Frederick, Hagerstown area) has a local rate of 2.96% — slightly below Howard and Montgomery County. Frederick County is popular among workers who commute to Montgomery County, as they pay Frederick's lower rate (2.96%) rather than Montgomery's 3.2%, saving approximately $175/year at $75,000 income.
Howard Co.: 3.20%Frederick Co.: 2.96%Frederick saves ~$175/yr vs Montgomery
Section 3
How Maryland Paycheck Tax Is Calculated
Maryland paycheck calculation is more complex than most states because it requires computing two separate income taxes — state and county — both withheld by your employer and shown as separate lines on your pay stub. Here is the complete step-by-step process.
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Compute Gross Pay
Hourly: rate × hours in period. Salaried: annual ÷ pay periods. Maryland follows federal FLSA overtime (1.5× after 40 hrs/week). Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00/hour for large employers (15+ employees) and has been at this level since 2024, with inflation indexing thereafter. Small employers (under 15) may have a slightly lower rate — verify with the Maryland Department of Labor. Tipped workers may earn $3.63/hour cash wage with tips making up the rest to $15.00.
2
Subtract Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k), health insurance, HSA, and FSA contributions reduce gross wages before all tax calculations. Maryland uses federal AGI as its income tax base — so pre-tax deductions reduce both your federal, Maryland state, AND Maryland county taxable income. With combined state+county rates up to 8.95%, each $1,000 in pre-tax deductions at the top bracket saves nearly $90 in Maryland taxes alone, in addition to federal savings.
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Federal Income Tax Withholding
Using IRS Publication 15-T 2026 tables based on your W-4 and filing status. Maryland's DC-metro workforce — particularly in Montgomery County and Prince George's County — often earns significant federal government or contractor salaries in the $80,000–$200,000 range, placing many Maryland workers in the 22%–24% federal brackets.
4
FICA — Social Security & Medicare
Social Security: 6.2% up to $184,500 wage base. Medicare: 1.45% on all wages. Additional 0.9% on wages over $200,000. No Maryland-specific FICA modifications apply.
5
Maryland State Income Tax Withholding
Your employer uses the Maryland Employer Withholding Guide (Circular M). State withholding is calculated on annualized wages minus the Maryland standard deduction ($3,350 single / $6,700 married, flat for 2026) and personal exemptions ($3,200 each). The ten-bracket progressive state rate (2%–6.5%, including two new top brackets added for 2025+) is then applied. For most Maryland workers earning $40,000+, the effective state rate is approximately 4.5%–5.0% after deductions — only very high earners above $500,000 (single) reach the new 6.25% and 6.5% brackets.
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Maryland County Income Tax — The Second Layer
After computing state tax, your employer separately calculates and withholds county income tax based on your county of residence (not work location). County tax is applied to the same Maryland taxable income as state tax. The county rate (2.25%–3.2%) is a flat rate applied to all taxable income — no brackets. A Montgomery County resident earning $80,000 pays roughly $2,240–$2,560/year in county tax alone.
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Post-Tax Deductions → Net Pay
Post-tax items (Roth 401k, garnishments) are subtracted last. Maryland requires wages to be paid at least once every two weeks or twice monthly. Final wages on termination must be paid by the next regular payday.
Section 4
Pre-Tax Deductions That Maximize Your Maryland Take-Home Pay
With Maryland's combined state + county tax potentially reaching 8.95%, pre-tax deductions in Maryland create some of the highest savings of any non-California state — see our paycheck tax deduction guide for the underlying math. Here is what Maryland workers need to know.
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Traditional 401(k) — Especially Valuable in High-County-Tax Areas
In Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Baltimore City, or Howard County (all at the 3.2% county rate), each $1,000 in traditional 401(k) contributions saves $89.50 in combined state+county tax alone (5.75% state + 3.2% county = 8.95%). Maxing the 2026 limit of $23,500 saves a top-bracket Maryland county resident approximately $2,103 in state/county tax, plus federal savings. Very few states offer this level of benefit from a single retirement account election.
2026 limit: $23,500Saves up to 8.95% in MD taxes50+ catch-up: +$7,500
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Health Insurance Premiums & HSA — Double Savings
Health plan premiums through a Section 125 plan and HSA contributions are pre-tax for federal, Maryland state, AND Maryland county income tax purposes. Maryland's large federal government workforce has access to FEHB plans with generous employer contributions. Many Maryland state government employees also have access to the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program. Both are typically structured as pre-tax deductions.
HSA limits for 2026: $4,300 (self-only) / $8,550 (family). On a Montgomery County paycheck, an HSA contribution of $4,300 saves approximately $385 in state+county tax alone (8.95%).
FEHB plans — federal workersSaves MD state + county + FICAHSA 2026: $4,300/$8,550
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Maryland-Specific Tax Benefits at Filing Time
While not per-paycheck deductions, these reduce your annual Maryland tax bill: the Maryland Pension Exclusion (retirees can exclude up to $39,500 in qualified pension income from state tax in 2026), the Military Retirement Subtraction (qualifying retired military can deduct military retirement income), the Long-Term Care Insurance Credit (5% of premiums paid, up to $500 credit), and the Child and Dependent Care Credit (state-level credit worth up to 32.5% of the federal credit for lower-income filers). These are annual return adjustments, not paycheck-level withholding changes.
Maryland commuters beware: Maryland residents who work in Washington DC do NOT benefit from a reciprocal tax agreement (unlike Virginia residents who work in DC). Maryland residents working in DC must pay DC income tax on DC-earned wages AND file a Maryland return, claiming a credit for taxes paid to DC. The net effect is complex — your effective total tax burden may be higher than if you worked in Maryland or Virginia. Maryland residents working in Virginia, however, DO benefit from Virginia's reciprocal agreement with Maryland — Virginia withholds no tax from Maryland residents working there.
Section 5
Maryland Worker Rights & Pay Laws 2026
Maryland has built one of the more detailed payroll frameworks in the Mid-Atlantic. From pay frequency requirements to statewide paid sick leave, here's what affects a Maryland paycheck.
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Maryland $15.00 Minimum Wage — 2026 (+ County Overrides)
Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00/hour statewide as of January 1, 2025. This applies to all private employers regardless of size. The tipped minimum wage in Maryland is $3.63/hour — employers may pay tipped workers this base rate provided wages + tips reach $15.00/hour.
Important county overrides: Montgomery County's minimum wage is $16.70/hr (2026, inflation-adjusted). Prince George's County is $16.20/hr (2026). Both significantly exceed the state $15.00 floor. If you work in these counties and your employer is paying you only the state $15.00/hr, that may be a wage violation — report it to the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights or the Prince George's County Office of Human Rights.
State: $15.00/hrMontgomery Co.: $16.70/hrPrince George's Co.: $16.20/hrTipped: $3.63/hr base
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Maryland Pay Frequency & Final Paycheck Law
Under Maryland Labor and Employment § 3-502, employers must pay wages at least semi-monthly (twice per month). Employers must establish and post regular paydays, and paydays cannot be more than 16 days apart for hourly workers.
Final paycheck: Maryland requires your final paycheck on the next regular payday after termination or resignation — there is no requirement for immediate same-day payment, unlike some other states (see our final paycheck rules guide for the full comparison).
Pay frequency: at least semi-monthlyMax 16 days between paydaysFinal pay: next regular payday
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Maryland Healthy Working Families Act — Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
Maryland's Healthy Working Families Act (effective February 2018) requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide earned paid sick and safe leave. Employers with fewer than 15 employees must provide unpaid sick and safe leave. Employees accrue 1 hour of leave per 30 hours worked, up to 64 hours (8 days) per year. This accrual typically appears as a line item on your pay stub.
15+ employees: paid leaveUnder 15: unpaid leaveUp to 64 hrs/year
Maryland's dual income tax (state + county) makes it one of the higher-tax states in the mid-Atlantic for wage earners. Here's the complete picture at $85,000 annual income for a single filer — the most common comparison question for DC metro workers choosing where to live.
Jurisdiction
State Income Tax
Local Income Tax
Min. Wage
Est. Take-Home ($85k)
Tax Burden
MD – Montgomery Co.
Up to 5.75%
3.20%
$16.70/hr
$59,000–$60,200
Very High
MD – Baltimore City
Up to 5.75%
3.20%
$15.00/hr
$59,000–$60,200
Very High
MD – Worcester Co.
Up to 5.75%
2.23%
$15.00/hr
$60,300–$61,500
High
Virginia
Up to 5.75%
None
$12.41/hr
$62,800–$63,800
Moderate
Washington DC
Up to 10.75%
N/A (city-state)
$17.50/hr
$56,800–$58,500
Very High
Delaware
Up to 6.60%
Wilmington only (1.25%)
$15.00/hr
$61,500–$62,500
Moderate-High
Pennsylvania
3.07% flat
Many localities
$7.25/hr
$63,800–$65,000
Moderate
The $2,950 Maryland–Virginia Gap: At $85,000 income, a Montgomery County, MD resident pays approximately $2,950–$3,500 more in combined state + local income taxes annually compared to an Arlington, VA resident at the same salary. Over a 30-year career (with 3% annual raises and 5% investment returns on the saved difference), this gap compounds to over $400,000 in additional wealth for the Virginia resident. This is why many DC metro workers specifically choose Northern Virginia over Maryland suburbs when commute times are comparable.
Maryland offsets to consider: Maryland partially offsets its higher tax burden with a higher minimum wage ($15.00 vs. $12.41 in VA) and mandatory paid sick leave for employers with 15+ employees — both of which affect take-home pay and paycheck deductions directly.
Maryland's county-layered tax structure puts it in the same group as New York, New Jersey, and California — all four apply local tax on top of the state rate, though Maryland is the only one where every single county participates rather than select cities. Workers moving in from a standard-bracket state without local tax, like Virginia shown above, will notice this layer immediately on their first Maryland paycheck.
Section 5c
Does Your Maryland Paycheck Add Up?
Maryland's county-layered tax system means there's more for payroll to get right. These are the most common items to check, especially in the DC metro suburbs and Baltimore area.
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Employer paying below Montgomery County ($16.70/hr) or Prince George's County ($16.20/hr) minimum wage when you work in those counties
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Tipped employees paid below $3.63/hr base, or total wages + tips falling below $15.00/hr ($16.70 in Montgomery Co.)
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Overtime (1.5×) for hours over 40/week
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Paid sick leave accrual under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act should appear on your pay stub
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Final paycheck due on the next regular payday after termination or resignation
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County tax withheld should match your county of residence, not your work county
How to check: Compare your pay stub against our pay stub guide first. For unresolved wage disputes, file with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR).
Take-Home Pay Guide
How Much Is Taken Out of My Paycheck in Maryland?
Maryland workers face state income tax plus mandatory county income tax. For a Montgomery County worker at $85,000 (bi-weekly), expect ~$490 federal, ~$188 MD state, ~$104 county tax, ~$250 FICA — leaving approximately $2,237/paycheck. Select your county in the calculator for accuracy — rates range 2.25%–3.20%.
Salary Calculator
Maryland Salary Calculator — Take-Home Pay by County
Maryland net pay depends on which county you live in. A $90,000 salary in Howard County (3.2% local) nets ~$420/year less than Worcester County (2.25%). MD-VA reciprocity means DC-area workers only pay tax in their state of residence.
Top questions about Maryland take-home pay, county income tax, and worker rights. Updated for 2026.
Maryland is one of the very few states where county governments are authorized to levy their own income taxes — separate from the state tax. Both the Maryland state income tax AND your county's income tax are withheld from every paycheck by your employer. The county tax is based on your county of residence (where you live), not where you work. If you live in Montgomery County but work in Baltimore City, your employer withholds Montgomery County tax (3.2%), not Baltimore City tax. This dual-tax system is why Maryland paychecks feel significantly smaller than neighboring Virginia, which has no local income taxes.
Baltimore City has a local income tax rate of 3.20% — tied with Howard, Prince George's, and Montgomery counties, though Kent and Dorchester now charge the state maximum of 3.30%. This is withheld from your paycheck in addition to the Maryland state income tax (2%–6.5% following the 2025+ reform that added two new top brackets), for a combined top rate approaching 9.8% for very high earners. Note that Baltimore City and Baltimore County are two separate jurisdictions — if you live in Baltimore County (the suburbs surrounding the city), your local rate is 2.83%, not 3.2%, saving approximately $280/year at $75,000 income.
Worcester County has the lowest county income tax rate in Maryland at 2.23%, followed by Garrett County (2.25%), Dorchester County (2.27%), and St. Mary's County (2.30%). At the high end, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Baltimore City, and Howard County are all at the maximum 3.2%. The county rate difference between Worcester (2.23%) and Montgomery (3.2%) on a $75,000 salary equals approximately $665/year in additional county tax — a meaningful take-home difference for otherwise similar workers. For remote workers with flexibility in Maryland residency, the county tax rate is a real financial consideration.
For a single Maryland worker in Montgomery County earning $75,000/year (bi-weekly pay of $2,885): Federal income tax ~$300–$330, Maryland state income tax ~$120–$135, Montgomery County local tax ~$92–$100 (3.2%), Social Security $179 (6.2%), Medicare $42 (1.45%). Total deductions approximately $733–$786, leaving take-home pay of ~$2,099–$2,152 per bi-weekly check.
Same worker in Baltimore County (2.83%): county tax ~$80–$87 — approximately $11–$13 more per check (~$310/year more take-home) vs. Montgomery County. Same worker in Worcester County (2.23%): county tax ~$63–$68 — approximately $25–$32 more per check (~$700/year more take-home) vs. Montgomery County. Use the calculator above to get your exact figures.
Virginia is generally more tax-favorable for workers due to the complete absence of local income taxes. At $85,000 income: Montgomery County, MD total state + local income tax ≈ $6,600–$7,200/year. Equivalent Arlington, VA worker: ≈ $3,700–$4,100/year in state income tax, no local tax. The difference: approximately $2,500–$3,100/year more after-tax income in Virginia.
Maryland partially offsets this with a higher minimum wage ($15.00 vs. $12.41 in VA) and mandatory paid sick leave. Workers maximizing take-home pay typically prefer Virginia residence in the DC metro area.
Maryland's statewide minimum wage is $15.00 per hour as of January 1, 2025, for all employers. The minimum wage is indexed to the Consumer Price Index for future adjustments. Tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $3.63/hour as long as tips bring total compensation to at least $15.00/hour.
Important county overrides: Montgomery County's minimum wage is $16.70/hr (2026). Prince George's County is $16.20/hr (2026). If you work in these counties and your employer is paying only the state $15.00/hr, that is a violation of county law — report it to the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights or the Prince George's County Office of Human Rights.
Maryland's Healthy Working Families Act requires paid sick leave for employers with 15 or more employees, and unpaid sick and safe leave for employers with fewer than 15 employees. Employees accrue 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 64 hours per year, carrying over year to year. Retaliation for using sick leave is prohibited. Montgomery County has its own additional ordinance with broader coverage — Montgomery County workers should verify both state and county requirements.
Maryland's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act gives employees the right to discuss their own wages and ask colleagues about their wages. Employers also cannot use your salary history from a previous job to set your pay — Maryland's salary history ban (in effect since 2016) prohibits this.
If you live outside Maryland (in DC, Virginia, Delaware, or Pennsylvania) but work in Maryland, you pay Maryland state income tax on your Maryland-earned wages — but instead of a county-specific local rate, you are subject to a flat nonresident county tax rate of 2.25%. This nonresident rate is declared on the MW-507 withholding form's nonresident section and applies uniformly regardless of which Maryland county you work in. You do not pay a full county rate — only the nonresident 2.25%.
Maryland Law Can Award You Triple Your Unpaid Wages
Maryland's Wage Payment and Collection Act requires prompt payment of all wages owed on regular pay periods, with final wages due on the next regular payday after separation.
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Related Searches — Maryland Paycheck Calculator
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Worked Example
🦀 Maryland: Real Paycheck Breakdown 2026
Federal employment, healthcare & biotech · 24 county income taxes · 3× FLSA damages · Single filer · Bi-weekly pay (26 paychecks/year)
Take-Home (Bi-weekly)
$2,114
Gross (bi-weekly)
$2,884.62
— Federal Income Tax
-$387
— Maryland State Tax
-$163
— Social Security + Medicare
-$221
Net Take-Home Pay
$2,114
Key insight: Maryland's county income tax creates meaningful geographic variation in take-home pay. A Montgomery County worker and a Frederick County worker earning the same $80,000 salary have a take-home pay difference of approximately $760/year — just from county tax rate differences. Workers who live near county lines may benefit from confirming their official county of residence.
Need a different salary or filing status? Use the Maryland paycheck calculator above.
How Maryland Compares
Maryland is unique in having 24 counties each set their own income tax rate (2.25%–3.2%) on top of state tax — making local selection a real financial consideration. Neighboring state: Virginia (2%–5.75%) or Delaware (2.2%–6.6%).