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Database Administrators Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Database Administrators salary really buy you in Maryland?

Maryland is 5.0% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$124,300
Median annual (2025)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$118,380
COL-adjusted (RPP=105.0)

Maryland Cost of Living Index

Maryland's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 105.0, meaning prices are 5.0% higher the national average. A Database Administrators earning $124,300 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $118,380 in an average-cost US state.

MD: 105.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $73,650 $70,142 $-3,507
25th Percentile (P25) $101,060 $96,247 $-4,812
Median (P50) $124,300 $118,380 $-5,919
75th Percentile (P75) $151,050 $143,857 $-7,192
90th Percentile (P90) $172,110 $163,914 $-8,195
Key Insight

While $124,300 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $118,380. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Maryland Is a High-Cost State

RPP 105.0

Maryland's RPP of 105.0 puts it 5.0% above the national baseline cost of living. A Database Administrators needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-4.8%

After applying Maryland's RPP, the $124,300 median salary translates to $118,381 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Database Administrators.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Maryland

#4 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Database Administrators, Maryland places #4 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Database Administrators (After Cost of Living)

Where does Database Administrators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Utah
$143,650
RPP 94.5
$125,816
RPP 91.8
$120,912
RPP 94.2
$118,380
RPP 105.0
$118,190
RPP 109.4
6. Texas
$117,333
RPP 97.5
$115,680
RPP 108.8
$115,679
RPP 102.3
9. Iowa
$114,490
RPP 88.4
10. Nevada
$113,765
RPP 96.4

Maryland ranks #4 out of 51 states for Database Administrators after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Database Administrators take-home pay in Maryland after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Database Administrators in Maryland after cost of living?

A Database Administrators in Maryland earns a median salary of $124,300 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $118,380 — a -4.8% difference.

Is Maryland expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Database Administrators in Maryland: $124,300 x (100 / 105.0) = $118,380. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Maryland offset the salary?

Partially — a Database Administrators's nominal salary of $124,300 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $118,380. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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