Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Astronomers salary really buy you in Maryland?
Maryland is 5.0% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Maryland's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 105.0, meaning prices are 5.0% higher the national average. A Astronomers earning $132,620 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $126,304 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Maryland's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $83,200 | $79,238 | $-3,961 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $102,910 | $98,009 | $-4,900 |
| Median (P50) | $132,620 | $126,304 | $-6,315 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $175,720 | $167,352 | $-8,367 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $214,450 | $204,238 | $-10,211 |
While $132,620 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $126,304. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Maryland's RPP of 105.0 puts it 5.0% above the national baseline cost of living. A Astronomers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Maryland's RPP, the $132,620 median salary translates to $126,305 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Astronomers.
Maryland sits at #2 of 5 states for Astronomers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Astronomers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Maryland ranks #2 out of 5 states for Astronomers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Astronomers take-home pay in Maryland after taxes →
A Astronomers in Maryland earns a median salary of $132,620 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $126,304 — a -4.8% difference.
Maryland's cost of living is 5.0% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Astronomers in Maryland: $132,620 x (100 / 105.0) = $126,304. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Astronomers's nominal salary of $132,620 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $126,304. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.