How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maryland (2026)

Q: How much do bookkeepers earn in Maryland?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), bookkeepers in Maryland earned a median annual wage of approximately $53,540. Employment concentration in Maryland is roughly 0.74 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Maryland?

Maryland currently employs approximately 18,170 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -5.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Maryland bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn a median annual wage of $53,540 ($25.74/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 18,170 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 5.7% above the national median of $50,670 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $53,540 ($25.74/hr)
25th percentile: $45,990 per year
75th percentile: $63,040 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,600 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,500 per year
Workers employed in Maryland: 18,170
Versus national median: 5.7% above the U.S. median of $50,670
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.74 - this occupation is less concentrated in Maryland than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Maryland employs about 18,170 bookkeepers earning a median $53,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in Maryland.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Maryland

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Carroll Community College	72.5	$4,308 in-state / $10,158 out-of-state	$54,507	39%	Yes*	28 mi
2	Frederick Community College	71.1	$3,849 in-state / $10,042 out-of-state	$54,058	37%	Yes*	20 mi
3	University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus	70.3	$6,660	$107,963	33%	Yes*	23 mi
4	Montgomery College	59.0	$5,394 in-state / $14,250 out-of-state	$55,199	32%	Yes*	8 mi
5	University of the District of Columbia	57.2	$5,662 in-state / $12,514 out-of-state	$66,946	33%	Yes*	19 mi
6	Howard Community College	51.0	$4,080 in-state / $9,624 out-of-state	$57,920	24%	Yes*	18 mi
7	Career Technical Institute	Not rated	Contact school for pricing	$35,827	63%	Yes*	23 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Maryland employs approximately 18,170 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $53,540 ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in Maryland, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Maryland): $53,540 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maryland

How to become a Bookkeeper in Maryland? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Maryland.

How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in Maryland varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do bookkeepers earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Maryland is $53,540 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,500 and experienced professionals can earn $75,600 or more ¹.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maryland

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maryland training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in Maryland that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Maryland before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Maryland vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	22,660	$52,710	$55,250	$39,220	$75,250
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	18,550	$59,290	$60,030	$41,520	$79,390
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson	8,540	$53,570	$55,810	$40,110	$75,540
Hagerstown-Martinsburg	760	$46,490	$47,920	$31,740	$63,950
Salisbury	450	$49,540	$51,960	$38,990	$64,490
Lexington Park	360	$51,480	$53,830	$37,790	$72,610

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 18,170 bookkeepers ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maryland.

How much do bookkeepers earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Maryland is $53,540, which is $4,330 above the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data ¹.

In Maryland

Best Trade Schools in Maryland (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Maryland

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)