Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Baltimore
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Baltimore
Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.
As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.
#57. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $26,250
- #123 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
#56. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $28,100
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)
#55. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $31,880
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,220
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
#54. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $34,220
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
#53. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $34,770
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,220
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
#52. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $35,980
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
#51. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $36,350
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($46,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,430)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($42,620)
#50. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $36,460
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)

#49. Occupational therapy aides
- Annual mean salary: $37,160
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,310
- Employment: 7,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,740)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($43,240)

#48. Psychiatric aides
- Annual mean salary: $37,190
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,590
- Employment: 55,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($48,280)
--- Rochester, NY ($45,890)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($45,010)
#47. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $37,360
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,830
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
#46. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $38,810
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- Employment: 29,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($52,880)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($45,910)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,730)
#45. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $40,240
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,420
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
#44. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $40,980
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
#43. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $41,210
- #137 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
#42. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $41,350
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
#41. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $42,240
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,990
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
#40. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $42,810
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
#39. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $44,530
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
#38. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $44,800
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
#37. Exercise physiologists
- Annual mean salary: $52,690
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,750
- Employment: 7,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($184,950)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($88,760)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($69,300)
#36. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $53,070
- #242 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)

#35. Athletic trainers
- Annual mean salary: $53,860
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
#34. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $54,350
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
#33. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $54,550
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,160
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)
#32. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $59,660
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
#31. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $65,990
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
#30. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $66,490
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)

#29. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $67,260
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
#28. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
#27. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $68,310
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
#26. Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $75,970
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
#25. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $76,040
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
#24. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $78,700
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 32,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
#23. Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $80,650
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
#22. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $84,440
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
#21. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $84,670
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
#20. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $86,920
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,920
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
#19. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $88,770
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,590
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
#18. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $89,000
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,870
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)

#17. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $89,270
- #155 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
#16. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $95,620
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
#15. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $102,440
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,680
- Employment: 9,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($222,760)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($206,190)
--- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ($200,200)
#14. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $107,350
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,640
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)

#13. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $115,140
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
#12. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $116,830
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
#11. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $118,570
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)

#10. Orthodontists
- Annual mean salary: $121,840
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $230,830
- Employment: 5,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($272,960)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($264,560)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($260,070)
#9. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $123,110
- #239 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
#8. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $135,400
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
#7. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $153,430
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
#6. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $182,090
- #222 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
#5. General internal medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $193,280
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)

#4. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $194,760
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)
#3. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $199,810
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
#2. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $231,500
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)

#1. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $267,440
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)


