The minimum wage in Silver Spring is $15.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $27.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Silver Spring.
The minimum wage in Silver Spring is the Maryland statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Silver Spring follows the Maryland statewide minimum of $15.00/hour as the baseline; note that Montgomery County sets its own higher local minimum wage for larger employers, so confirm the county rate if you work there. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Silver Spring. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,000/month and a cost-of-living index of 142 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Silver Spring, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $27.00 | $56,160 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $52.00 | $108,160 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $24,000 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Montgomery County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Silver Spring.
Silver Spring is a dense, urbanized community just north of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County, home to federal agencies (including the FDA and NOAA), media and broadcasting, healthcare, and a vibrant downtown served by Metro.
| Local Metric | Silver Spring (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 80,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Montgomery County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 142 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $52.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,000/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,450/month |
| Median home price | $550,000 |
| Median household income | $105,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.95% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Silver Spring is the Maryland statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Silver Spring follows the Maryland statewide minimum of $15.00/hour as the baseline; note that Montgomery County sets its own higher local minimum wage for larger employers, so confirm the county rate if you work there. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $31,200 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Montgomery County needs about $27.00/hour (roughly $56,160/year) to cover basic costs. That is $12.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $52.00/hour.
At $15.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $31,200 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,400/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Silver Spring is about $2,000/month, or $24,000/year.
Silver Spring follows the Maryland statewide minimum of $15.00/hour as the baseline; note that Montgomery County sets its own higher local minimum wage for larger employers, so confirm the county rate if you work there.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Maryland has set a state minimum wage of $15.00/hour, well above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Silver Spring.