Pennsylvania vs Maryland: Healthcare Job Market Comparison
Mid-Atlantic healthcare. UPMC and Penn vs. Johns Hopkins. Maryland has unique all-payer rate setting.
Pennsylvania
16,784
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $82,780
- Avg physician salary
- $362,000
- Cost of living
- 95.9
- Top state income tax
- 3.07%
Maryland
7,204
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $88,130
- Avg physician salary
- $362,000
- Cost of living
- 116.5
- Top state income tax
- 5.75%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Pennsylvania | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Providers in directory | 16,784 | 7,204 |
| Cities served | 846 | 256 |
| Avg RN salary (BLS May 2024) | $82,780 | $88,130 |
| Avg physician salary | $362,000 | $362,000 |
| Cost of living (100 = US avg) | 95.9 | 116.5 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 3.07% | 5.75% |
Salary figures are approximate, drawn from public sources including BLS, Medscape, and Doximity compensation reports.
Top Cities for Providers
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia3,215
- Pittsburgh1,316
- Allentown577
- York452
- Erie370
Maryland
- Baltimore2,009
- Bethesda525
- Rockville327
- Silver Spring323
- Columbia194
Notable Health Systems
Pennsylvania
- • Penn Medicine
- • UPMC
- • Penn State Health
- • Geisinger
Maryland
- • Johns Hopkins Medicine
- • University of Maryland Medical System
Medical Licensure Boards
Each state has its own medical board. Check fees, required CME hours, and reciprocity before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays nurses more, Pennsylvania or Maryland?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), registered nurses in Maryland earn an average of $88,130, compared to $82,780 in Pennsylvania. The gap is roughly $5,350 per year before adjusting for cost of living.
Which state has higher physician salaries, Pennsylvania or Maryland?
Aggregated compensation data shows physicians in Maryland earn approximately $362,000 on average, compared to $362,000 in Pennsylvania. Specialty and practice setting drive much larger variations than state averages suggest.
How does the cost of living compare between Pennsylvania and Maryland?
Using the MERIC Q4 2024 cost-of-living index (100 = national average), Pennsylvania is 95.9 and Maryland is 116.5. Pennsylvania (95.9) is the more affordable of the two, while Maryland (116.5) is more expensive. Housing is typically the largest driver of these differences.
How many healthcare providers practice in Pennsylvania vs. Maryland?
The Ava Health directory lists 16,784 providers in Pennsylvania across 846 cities, and 7,204 providers in Maryland across 256 cities. All data is sourced from the CMS NPPES NPI registry and updated regularly.
Which state has a more favorable tax environment for healthcare providers?
Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07%, while Maryland's top rate is 5.75%. Always factor in property tax, sales tax, and local taxes before making a relocation decision — states with no income tax often offset through higher sales or property taxes.
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