Bethesda, MD

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 791 jobs →

Avg Salary

$78,416

across all roles

Cost Index

138

Expensive

Avg Rent

$2,056/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

5/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is Bethesda?

5/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.33× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 138 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,195/mo, Bethesda is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

138

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$2,056

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,195

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$68,842

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.33×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

791

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Bethesda

By gross annual salary

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$246,619
2.Neurologists
$245,361
3.Radiologists
$243,649
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$239,308
5.Anesthesiologists
$236,656
6.Ophthalmologists
$236,642
7.Orthodontists
$234,242
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$230,811
9.Pediatricians
$222,051
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$219,335

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$11,428/mo
2.Neurologists
$11,351/mo
3.Radiologists
$11,247/mo
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$10,983/mo
5.Anesthesiologists
$10,822/mo
6.Ophthalmologists
$10,821/mo
7.Orthodontists
$10,675/mo
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$10,466/mo
9.Pediatricians
$9,933/mo
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$9,768/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Bethesda

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Biological Technicians

$5/mo left

$58,845/yr gross

Floor Sanders And Finishers

$7/mo left

$58,889/yr gross

Broadcast Announcers And Radio Disc Jockeys

$11/mo left

$58,946/yr gross

Tree Trimmers And Pruners

$17/mo left

$59,044/yr gross

Miscellaneous Construction And Related Workers

$28/mo left

$59,224/yr gross

Explore Bethesda Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.