Maryland Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay in Maryland. The state levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 6.5% (2% to 6.5% across 10 brackets (plus county taxes)). This means a portion of every paycheck goes toward state income tax in addition to federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare.
Disclaimer: All figures on this page are estimates for general informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates, brackets, and withholding rules change and vary by locality and personal circumstances. Verify current rates with the Maryland Department of Revenue or the IRS, and consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.
Maryland Tax Snapshot
- State Income Tax
- 6.5% top rate
- Sales Tax (state + local avg)
- 6.00%
- Avg Property Tax Rate
- 1.05%
- Median Home Value
- $401,500
- State Minimum Wage
- $15.00/hr
Did You Know?
Maryland added new top income tax brackets for 2026, lifting the state top rate to 6.5% on top of county income taxes of roughly 2.25% to 3.2%.
How Maryland's Graduated Brackets Affect Your Paycheck
When you earn a paycheck in Maryland, your employer withholds federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). On top of that, the state withholds income tax based on 2% to 6.5% across 10 brackets (plus county taxes). The state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, which sets the floor for hourly workers. Understanding these deductions helps you budget effectively and plan for the average 1.05% property tax rate on homes valued around $401,500.
Maryland also levies a combined state and average local sales tax of 6.00%, which affects your overall purchasing power. Factor this into your budget when calculating how far your paycheck stretches.
Where You Live vs. Where You Work in Maryland
Maryland has income tax reciprocity agreements with District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. If you live in Maryland and work in one of those jurisdictions — or the other way round — your wages are taxed only by your state of residence, provided you file the non-residence certificate your employer's state requires. Without that form on file, the work state will withhold anyway and you will have to claim it back.
Every Maryland county and Baltimore City levies its own income tax, roughly 2.25% to 3.2%, withheld alongside the state tax. Local withholding is separate from the state line on your pay stub, so check it explicitly if you move house or change work location without changing employer.
How Maryland's Income Tax Compares Nationally
Maryland uses a graduated income tax — 2% to 6.5% across 10 brackets (plus county taxes) — so higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates rather than one flat percentage.
Its 6.5% top rate is the 14th-highest nationally among the 42 states and jurisdictions that tax wages, above the median top rate of 5.25%.
For comparison, nearby states line up like this: Delaware (top rate 6.6%); Pennsylvania (top rate 3.07%); Virginia (top rate 5.75%); West Virginia (top rate 4.82%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maryland have a state income tax? + −
Yes. Maryland has a state income tax with a top rate of 6.5%. Your effective rate depends on your filing status and income brackets. Maryland added new top income tax brackets for 2026, lifting the state top rate to 6.5% on top of county income taxes of roughly 2.25% to 3.2%.
What is the sales tax rate in Maryland? + −
The Maryland state sales tax rate is 6%. When you include the average local rate of 0%, the combined rate is approximately 6.00%. Actual rates vary by city and county.
How do I calculate my Maryland take-home pay? + −
Start with your gross salary, subtract federal income tax (based on your W-4 and tax bracket), subtract FICA taxes (7.65% — 6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare), then subtract Maryland state income tax at your marginal rate. The remainder is your net take-home pay. Our calculator does this automatically.
What payroll deductions apply in Maryland? + −
All Maryland employees pay federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%). State income tax is also withheld based on Maryland's brackets. Additional deductions may include 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and any local taxes.
How often are Maryland employees typically paid? + −
Most Maryland employees are paid biweekly (26 paychecks per year) or semi-monthly (24 paychecks). Some employers use weekly or monthly pay schedules. Our calculator supports all frequencies — enter your gross pay for one period and it calculates your net pay after all applicable Maryland taxes and deductions.
What are the Maryland income tax brackets? + −
Maryland uses a graduated structure: 2% to 6.5% across 10 brackets (plus county taxes). Only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so your effective rate is always lower than the 6.5% top rate.
Is Maryland a high income tax state? + −
Maryland's top rate of 6.5% ranks 14th-highest among the 42 states and jurisdictions with a wage income tax, above the national median top rate of 5.25%. Because the brackets are graduated (2% to 6.5% across 10 brackets (plus county taxes)), most filers pay an effective rate well below the headline number.
Does Maryland have income tax reciprocity with other states? + −
Yes — with District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Under those agreements your wages are taxed only where you live, not where you work. You have to give your employer the non-residence withholding certificate for the work state; if you do not, that state withholds its tax and you have to file a return there to get it refunded.
Are there local income taxes in Maryland? + −
Yes. Every Maryland county and Baltimore City levies its own income tax, roughly 2.25% to 3.2%, withheld alongside the state tax. That withholding is separate from the 6.5% state tax line and from federal tax and FICA, so your total deduction can be noticeably higher than the state rate alone suggests.
How do nearby states' income taxes compare with Maryland's? + −
Delaware (top rate 6.6%); Pennsylvania (top rate 3.07%); Virginia (top rate 5.75%); West Virginia (top rate 4.82%). 1 of the 4 nearby states listed has a higher top rate than Maryland's 6.5%.
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