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Marine Engineers and Naval Architects Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects 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
$130,150
Median annual (2025)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$123,952
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 Marine Engineers and Naval Architects earning $130,150 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $123,952 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) $88,770 $84,542 $-4,227
25th Percentile (P25) $103,400 $98,476 $-4,923
Median (P50) $130,150 $123,952 $-6,197
75th Percentile (P75) $169,760 $161,676 $-8,083
90th Percentile (P90) $195,190 $185,895 $-9,294
Key Insight

While $130,150 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $123,952. 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 Marine Engineers and Naval Architects 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 $130,150 median salary translates to $123,952 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#5 / 15

Maryland sits at #5 of 15 states for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (After Cost of Living)

Where does Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Texas
$156,697
RPP 97.5
$147,795
RPP 116.6
$146,356
RPP 93.6
4. Florida
$127,952
RPP 102.1
$123,952
RPP 105.0
$111,179
RPP 87.3
$104,789
RPP 109.4
$104,302
RPP 107.6
9. Georgia
$102,056
RPP 95.8
$99,772
RPP 109.8

Maryland ranks #5 out of 15 states for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Marine Engineers and Naval Architects take-home pay in Maryland after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in Maryland after cost of living?

A Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in Maryland earns a median salary of $130,150 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $123,952 — 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 Marine Engineers and Naval Architects in Maryland: $130,150 x (100 / 105.0) = $123,952. 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 Marine Engineers and Naval Architects's nominal salary of $130,150 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $123,952. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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