Best Community Colleges in Maryland

Why Attend Community College in Maryland?

If you want a strong education and career options, and are leaning towards attending a community college instead of a more expensive private college, Maryland is a great place to consider - especially thanks to their thriving economy. With nearly 2,546,000 employees, they account for 1.81% of the nation's labor force, putting it far above the median state job quantity of 1,825,370.

Those interested in exploring community college options in Maryland can consider Montgomery College (with a yearly tuition of only $5,000), Cecil College located in Northeast Maryland, and the slightly pricier Towson University (around $7,500) which has a student population of a little over 22,000. Suitable for those looking for a larger campus experience.

What Career Pathways Are Available in Maryland?

As far as career options, Maryland stands tall at number 19, with 745 different job types - leaving it just three percent below the national median of 722. That means there are plenty of viable career opportunities ready for students to explore. Maryland is especially strong in areas such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, finance, and hospitality services (especially on their eastern coast).

What Are The Most Common Jobs in Maryland?

Within the 745 jobs available in Maryland, some of the most common occupations are customer service representatives stockers and order fillers, and janitors and cleaners.

Customer Service Representatives

There are 45,860 customers service reps employed in Maryland, this puts it at the 22nd most of any state in the US - they still have a lot of room to grow when compared to Texas, who has almost 300,000 such reps employed (Maryland missing that number by an estimated 84%). In terms of pay, Maryland earns the 20th spot, with a median annual salary of $37,280, which is slightly above the midpoint of $35,280 for states, for a 38% percentile.

Stockers and Order Fillers

Many stockers and order fillers call Maryland their home. It’s one of the most common jobs in the state, with 44,570 people currently employed - the 19th most of any state. Nationally, there are 2,451,420 individuals employed in this job, making up 1.82% of the entire US labor force. In terms of pay, things are looking up at $30,300. According to the BLS, Maryland earns the 15th spot, making it more attractive than 72% of states, but still lower than the $34,270 median for states.

Janitors and Cleaners

Maryland has approximately 36,660 janitors and cleaners, the 20th most of any state - which puts it just above the median for states (the 70th percentile), with a nationwide median salary of $29,440 - a difference of just 2.7%. For those pursuing top compensation in this role, the 90th percentile equates to a 41% bonus on top of the stated $29,440, which could mean annual wages could reach in excess of $42,000 per year.