What is the average salary in Columbia, MD?
Columbia, MD offers a variety of job opportunities with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in this area is $75,525. Job seekers can expect to see salaries across many fields. The different types of jobs and their related pay scales provide a range of options for those looking to advance their careers.
Here are some common job sectors and their average salaries in Columbia, MD:
- Sales: $32,290
- Office and Administrative Support: $47,991
- Management: $63,692
- Education, Training, and Library: $79,393
- Business and Financial Operations: $95,094
- Computer and Mathematical: $110,795
- Architecture and Engineering: $126,495
- Life, Physical, and Social Science: $142,196
- Community and Social Services: $157,897
- Legal: $173,598
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical: $189,299
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media: $205,000
What are the best paying jobs in Columbia, MD?

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DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $156,131
Focuses on integrating development and operations. Works closely with teams using tools like Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes. Companies in Columbia value automation and continuous integration.
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Systems Engineer
Average Salary: $152,238
Designs, implements, and manages systems for efficiency. Uses hardware and software solutions to meet company goals. Columbia businesses seek skilled systems engineers.
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Software Engineer
Average Salary: $148,054
Develops software applications to solve complex problems. Uses languages like Java, Python, and C++. Employers in Columbia look for strong problem-solving skills.
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Information Security Engineer
Average Salary: $139,096
Protects systems from threats and vulnerabilities. Implements security measures and monitors for breaches. Demand is high in Columbia for this role.
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Cloud Engineer
Average Salary: $135,233
Manages cloud-based services and infrastructure. Utilizes platforms like AWS and Azure. Companies in Columbia need cloud expertise for digital transformation.
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Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $134,279
Provides primary and specialty care. Works in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Columbia healthcare facilities value their diagnostic and treatment skills.
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Pharmacist
Average Salary: $134,116
Fills prescriptions and advises on medication use. Works in pharmacies and healthcare settings. Columbia employers appreciate their expertise in pharmacology.
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Behavior Analyst
Average Salary: $124,533
Analyzes behavior patterns to provide therapeutic interventions. Works with individuals with autism and other conditions. Columbia schools and clinics seek skilled behavior analysts.
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Systems Administrator
Average Salary: $124,280
Manages and maintains computer systems and networks. Ensures systems run smoothly and securely. Columbia businesses rely on their technical skills.
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Engineer
Average Salary: $123,093
Designs and develops systems, products, and processes. Uses scientific principles to solve engineering challenges. Columbia companies need their innovative solutions.
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What are the best paying jobs in Columbia, MD without a degree?

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Canvasser
Average Salary: $58,721
This role involves visiting homes and businesses to promote products or services. Companies in Columbia hire canvassers to help with local marketing. It's a great way to earn while gaining experience.
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Restaurant Manager
Average Salary: $50,475
Manage daily operations of a restaurant, ensuring customer satisfaction and staff performance. Local eateries look for experienced managers to lead their teams. This job offers good earning potential.
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Groundskeeper
Average Salary: $39,812
Maintain the grounds of residential and commercial properties. Responsibilities include landscaping, gardening, and general upkeep. This position is suitable for those who enjoy working outdoors.
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Housekeeping
Average Salary: $38,707
Perform cleaning tasks in hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities. Ensure rooms are tidy and well-maintained. This role is ideal for those who value routine and cleanliness.
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Floor Tech
Average Salary: $37,141
Clean and maintain the floors in commercial and industrial settings. This includes sweeping, mopping, and sometimes waxing. It's a hands-on job that requires attention to detail.
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Server
Average Salary: $36,545
Take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in a restaurant setting. Build rapport with patrons to ensure a positive dining experience. It's a role that combines service skills with customer interaction.
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Line Cook
Average Salary: $36,471
Prepare food in a commercial kitchen. Follow recipes and maintain kitchen cleanliness. This job is fast-paced and requires strong organizational skills.
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To Go Specialist
Average Salary: $34,467
Prepare and package food for takeout or delivery orders. Ensure accuracy and efficiency in the process. This role is important for busy restaurants that offer takeout services.
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Barista
Average Salary: $33,755
Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages in a café. Interact with customers to take orders. This job offers the opportunity to learn about different drinks and coffee brewing techniques.
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Kitchen Team Member
Average Salary: $33,406
Assist in various kitchen tasks, including food preparation and clean-up. Work as part of a team to ensure smooth kitchen operations. This role is great for those who enjoy working collaboratively.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Columbia, MD?

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Leidos
Average Salary: $151,171
Leidos offers top-notch technology, engineering, and science solutions. They support customers in the health, civil, and intelligence sectors.
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Amazon Web Services
Average Salary: $140,939
AWS provides a wide range of cloud computing services. They help companies scale their technology to meet changing needs.
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HII
Average Salary: $135,739
HII builds warships for the U.S. Navy and other defense products. They are a major player in national defense.
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Piper Companies
Average Salary: $114,988
Piper is a global wealth management firm. They offer financial services and investment management to clients.
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Tenable
Average Salary: $110,603
Tenable provides cyber exposure solutions. They help organizations see and act to reduce their cyber risk.
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Enterprise Community Partners
Average Salary: $101,945
Enterprise focuses on affordable housing and healthy communities. They work to provide quality housing for those in need.
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University of Maryland Medical System
Average Salary: $100,102
UMMS is a leading provider of healthcare services. They offer a wide range of medical treatments to patients in Maryland.
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Option Care Health
Average Salary: $97,269
Option Care Health provides home and mobile infusion therapies. They support patients with chronic conditions.
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LifeStance Health
Average Salary: $97,120
LifeStance offers mental health care services. They provide therapy and psychiatric care to improve patient wellbeing.
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ROHDE & SCHWARZ GmbH & Co. KG
Average Salary: $96,138
ROHDE & SCHWARZ is a technology company. They develop products for communication, electronics, and aerospace.
How does the cost of living in Columbia, MD compare to the national average?

Columbia, MD, presents a cost of living that is slightly higher than the nationwide average. The housing index stands at 130, indicating that housing expenses in Columbia are 30% greater than the national average. This suggests that prospective residents might need to budget more for finding suitable accommodation.
Other costs, such as groceries, also tend to be higher in Columbia. With a grocery index of 110, food expenses are 10% above the nationwide average. Utilities and transportation costs are close to average, with indices at 105, showing a 5% increase in these areas. Healthcare costs reflect a 15% higher price at 115, while miscellaneous expenses are 20% greater than the national average, with an index of 120. Overall, while some areas match the national average, housing, groceries, and healthcare expenses notably exceed it.



