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Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 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
$66,180
Median annual (2025)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$63,028
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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earning $66,180 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $63,028 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) $43,830 $41,742 $-2,087
25th Percentile (P25) $54,690 $52,085 $-2,604
Median (P50) $66,180 $63,028 $-3,151
75th Percentile (P75) $75,610 $72,009 $-3,600
90th Percentile (P90) $78,250 $74,523 $-3,726
Key Insight

While $66,180 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $63,028. 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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 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 $66,180 median salary translates to $63,029 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#9 / 30

Maryland sits at #9 of 30 states for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (After Cost of Living)

Where does Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Oregon
$92,439
RPP 106.6
2. Nevada
$84,678
RPP 96.4
$73,299
RPP 107.6
$69,329
RPP 91.0
5. Georgia
$67,860
RPP 95.8
$66,926
RPP 106.4
$65,965
RPP 109.8
$63,183
RPP 97.7
$63,028
RPP 105.0
10. Utah
$60,603
RPP 94.5

Maryland ranks #9 out of 30 states for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators take-home pay in Maryland after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Maryland after cost of living?

A Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Maryland earns a median salary of $66,180 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $63,028 — 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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Maryland: $66,180 x (100 / 105.0) = $63,028. 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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators's nominal salary of $66,180 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $63,028. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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