Science & Research Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median epidemiologist salary in Columbia, MD is $92,654 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$92,654
vs State Avg
+$6,282
vs National
+$14,134
Cost of Living
118%

Epidemiologist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median epidemiologist salary of $92,654, which is $6,282 above the Maryland state average of $86,372. Compared to the national median of $78,520, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $92,654 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $78,520. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for epidemiologists in Columbia spans from $59,000 at the 10th percentile to $148,680 at the 90th percentile — a $89,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,360, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $141,600. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $61,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $141,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,360
+$9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,400
+$14,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$141,600
+$21,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $59,000
25th Percentile $73,160
Median (50th) $92,654
75th Percentile $119,180
90th Percentile $148,680

Epidemiologist Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$95,794
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$90,298
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$84,802
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$82,446
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Columbia

Education

Most epidemiologist positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Columbia, MD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Columbia, Maryland is $92,654 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $59,000 (10th percentile) to $148,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $92,654, a epidemiologist in Columbia earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Columbia's median epidemiologist salary of $92,654 is 7.3% above the Maryland state average of $86,372. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a epidemiologist salary of $92,654 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Columbia? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Columbia require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.