How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Maryland? (2026)

State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Maryland.

Total Cost at $60K Salary

$65,651

Cost multiplier: 1.09x

SUTA Rate (Mid)

2.1%

Wage base: $8,500

Workers' Comp Rate

1.15%

Has state income tax

Maryland Employer Tax Details

State-specific payroll obligations for employers

SUTA Rate Range 0.3% – 7.2%
SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) 2.1%
SUTA Wage Base $8,500
Workers' Compensation (avg) 1.15% of payroll
State Income Tax Yes
Paid Family Leave (employer share) 0.25%

FAMLI program launching 2026. Employer share ~0.25%.

Example Employer Costs in Maryland

Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)

Component $40,000 Salary $60,000 Salary $80,000 Salary
Social Security (6.2%) $2,480 $3,720 $4,960
Medicare (1.45%) $580 $870 $1,160
FUTA $42 $42 $42
SUTA (MD) $179 $179 $179
Workers' Comp $460 $690 $920
State Programs (DI/PFL) $100 $150 $200
Total Employer Taxes $3,841 $5,651 $7,461
Total Cost (salary + taxes) $43,841 (1.1x) $65,651 (1.09x) $87,461 (1.09x)

These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.

How Maryland Compares

Maryland's typical SUTA rate of 2.1% is above the national average of ~1.70%.

Workers' compensation at 1.15% of payroll is below the national average of ~1.20%.

Calculate Your Exact Employee Cost

Use our interactive calculator with your specific salary, state, and benefits to get an exact number.

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