Find a Job You Really Want In
Maryland is known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine. However, it also boasts a vibrant economy and a thriving job market that has continued to evolve in recent years.
At Zippia, we analyze local economies to identify which industries are currently excelling. This information is crucial for job seekers and individuals considering relocating to Maryland for work.
In this article, we highlight the top industries in Maryland that offer excellent job opportunities in 2026.
After examining all the available data, we identified the five best industries for jobs in Maryland:
Continue reading to discover how we determined the standout industries for job seekers in Maryland.
If you’re interested, explore more about the Maryland job landscape:
- Top 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Baltimore
- 20 Best Companies to Work For in Baltimore
- Top 10 Jobs in Maryland for Recent Graduates
How We Identified the Best Industries in Maryland for Jobs
We believe that data provides a clearer picture than subjective opinions. Our mission was to gather comprehensive data about the Maryland job market.
We focused on the following relevant criteria to identify the leading industries:
- Average Salary
- Job Availability
- Average Stress Level of Jobs in the Industry
Our data sources include the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor.
Average stress levels were calculated based on self-reported statistics from professionals in the respective industries. We ranked each industry from 1 to 22, with 1 being the best.
Ultimately, we averaged the rankings to create a ‘Best Industry’ index, with Architecture and Engineering emerging as the top choice for job seekers in Maryland.
For a detailed table of the data, see below, and continue reading to learn more about why these industries are favorable for job seekers.
Detailed List of the Best Industries in Maryland
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecture and Engineering | $94,330 |
| 2 | Computer and Mathematical | $96,800 |
| 3 | Management | $125,940 |
| 4 | Legal | $88,330 |
| 5 | Business and Financial Operations | $80,050 |
| 6 | Life, Physical, and Social Science | $87,780 |
| 7 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $85,430 |
| 8 | Education, Training, and Library | $63,440 |
| 9 | Community and Social Service | $50,170 |
| 10 | Office and Administrative Support | $39,810 |
| 11 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $59,460 |
| 12 | Construction and Extraction | $48,520 |
| 13 | Production and Manufacturing | $38,980 |
| 14 | Protective Service | $48,800 |
| 15 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $50,230 |
| 16 | Sales | $40,950 |
| 17 | Personal Care and Service | $28,950 |
| 18 | Transportation | $38,560 |
| 19 | Healthcare Support | $32,710 |
| 20 | Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $28,520 |
| 21 | Food Preparation and Serving Related | $24,650 |
| 22 | Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $34,670 |
Summary of the Best Industries in Maryland
In conclusion, the Architecture and Engineering industry remains the top choice for job seekers in Maryland in 2026.
Conversely, the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry industry ranks lowest, primarily due to limited job opportunities and lower salaries.
For further reading, explore:
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
