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Lighting Technicians Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Lighting Technicians 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
$49,080
Median annual (2025)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$46,742
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 Lighting Technicians earning $49,080 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $46,742 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) $39,030 $37,171 $-1,858
25th Percentile (P25) $42,660 $40,628 $-2,031
Median (P50) $49,080 $46,742 $-2,337
75th Percentile (P75) $71,220 $67,828 $-3,391
90th Percentile (P90) $100,990 $96,180 $-4,809
Key Insight

While $49,080 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $46,742. 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 Lighting Technicians 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 $49,080 median salary translates to $46,743 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Lighting Technicians.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#26 / 27

Maryland ranks #26 of 27 — bottom quartile for Lighting Technicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Lighting Technicians (After Cost of Living)

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

$114,845
RPP 109.8
$83,617
RPP 112.5
$80,468
RPP 108.8
$75,574
RPP 88.8
$73,774
RPP 90.6
6. Georgia
$73,225
RPP 95.8
$72,490
RPP 107.6
$68,092
RPP 106.4
$66,307
RPP 91.8
10. Michigan
$64,464
RPP 93.4

Maryland ranks #26 out of 27 states for Lighting Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Lighting Technicians in Maryland after cost of living?

A Lighting Technicians in Maryland earns a median salary of $49,080 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $46,742 — 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 Lighting Technicians in Maryland: $49,080 x (100 / 105.0) = $46,742. 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 Lighting Technicians's nominal salary of $49,080 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $46,742. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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