๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 103 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Glen Burnie CDP, MD

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$54,823
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$53,382
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$128,290
1BR Rent
$1,489
median monthly

You might think Glen Burnie is just a sleepy suburb, but itโ€™s got a quiet powerhouse of a job market, especially in tech and healthcare. Forget the old images; the real story here is a median household income of $77,549 thatโ€™s punching above its weight for the region.

Hereโ€™s the math on your wallet. The cost of living sits at 102.7โ€”just a hair above the national averageโ€”but that $1,489 monthly rent for a one-bedroom feels surprisingly manageable against that income. Itโ€™s not a bargain basement, but itโ€™s certainly not the wallet-drain youโ€™d find closer to D.C. Your purchasing power here is solid, if not spectacular.

Whatโ€™s driving the engine? This isnโ€™t a single-industry town. Youโ€™ve got the steady anchor of education and the Anne Arundel Medical Center, but the real growth is in the tech and professional services bleeding over from the Fort Meade corridor. Thatโ€™s why you see software developers earning a COL-adjusted $124,917โ€”theyโ€™re the cityโ€™s new financial backbone. Nurses and accountants also do well, proving stable, skilled labor is valued.

But hereโ€™s my honest take: wages for the average worker, sitting at a COL-adjusted $53,382, arenโ€™t keeping pace with the creeping costs. Itโ€™s a great place for dual-income households or those with specialized skills, but a single earner on an average salary might feel the squeeze. The 3% unemployment rate shows jobs are there, but the 24.4% with a bachelorโ€™s degree suggests a divide.

The data below breaks down exactly who wins and whoโ€™s just getting by in this Maryland CDP.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Glen Burnie CDP

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,290
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $124,917
โฑ Hourly $61.68/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +1% vs national

Accountant

$86,777
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $84,496
โฑ Hourly $41.72/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$86,767
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $84,486
โฑ Hourly $41.71/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,185
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $62,498
โฑ Hourly $30.86/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Electrician

$62,048
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $60,417
โฑ Hourly $29.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Glen Burnie CDP

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (103/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $128,290
2 Accountant $86,777
3 Registered Nurse $86,767
4 Elementary School Teacher $64,185
5 Electrician $62,048
6 Real Estate Agent $61,977
7 Heavy Truck Driver $53,520
8 Welder $50,405
9 Nail Technician $50,405
10 Cosmetologist $50,405
11 Personal Trainer $50,405
12 Chef/Head Cook $50,405
13 Auto Mechanic $50,405
14 Veterinary Technician $50,405
15 Social Worker $50,405
16 Pharmacy Technician $50,405
17 Dental Assistant $50,405
18 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,405
19 Firefighter $50,405
20 Project Manager $50,405
21 Graphic Designer $50,405
22 Data Analyst $50,405
23 Plumber $50,405
24 Loan Officer $50,405
25 Insurance Agent $50,405
26 Carpenter $50,405
27 Physical Therapist $50,405
28 Human Resources Specialist $50,405
29 Financial Analyst $50,405
30 Pharmacist $50,405
31 HVAC Technician $50,405
32 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,405
33 Police Officer $50,405
34 Dental Hygienist $50,405
35 Web Developer $50,405
36 Construction Manager $50,405
37 Marketing Manager $50,405
38 Medical Assistant $50,405
39 Paralegal $50,405
40 Security Guard $36,432

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Glen Burnie CDP

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,489/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,861/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$331,600
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$77,549
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
24%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
103
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Glen Burnie CDP?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Glen Burnie CDP. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Glen Burnie CDP Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Glen Burnie CDP, MD?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Glen Burnie CDP is $54,823. This is below the median household income of $77,549, indicating a mix of lower and higher earners in the area.

What jobs pay the most in Glen Burnie CDP?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $128,290. This is more than double the area's average salary of $54,823, highlighting a significant premium for tech skills.

Is Glen Burnie CDP affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $128,290 is well above the area's median household income of $77,549. With a 1BR rent of $1,489/month and a COL index of 102.7, housing costs are manageable relative to this income.

How does Glen Burnie CDP's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Glen Burnie's COL index of 102.7 is 2.7% above the national average, slightly eroding purchasing power. For example, a $54,823 average salary has less real value here than in areas with a lower COL.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Glen Burnie CDP?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a salary around $77,549 (the median household income) is a practical benchmark. This covers the $1,489/month 1BR rent and other costs, given the COL index of 102.7.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Glen Burnie CDP Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Glen Burnie isnโ€™t a gold rush, but itโ€™s not a trap either. With a 102.7 COL and rent at $1,489, the $54,823 average salary feels tight unless youโ€™re in tech. Software developers are the clear winners here, pulling in an unadjusted $128,290 and a COL-adjusted $124,917. If youโ€™re in healthcare or the trades, you can live here, but you wonโ€™t feel rich.

Is it worth it financially? For tech workers, absolutely. For everyone else, itโ€™s manageable but not a slam dunk. My advice: If youโ€™re moving here for a job, negotiate like your rent depends on itโ€”because it does. Donโ€™t settle for the average.

Explore Glen Burnie CDP Further