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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Works Director in Maryland is $171,602 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.
However, a Public Works Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Public Works Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $189,140 | $15,762 | $3,637 | $91 |
| Average | $171,602 | $14,300 | $3,300 | $83 |
| 25th Percentile | $153,215 | $12,768 | $2,946 | $74 |
City of Crisfield - Crisfield, MD
Chevy Chase Village - Chevy Chase, MD
City of Hagerstown - Hagerstown, MD
Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD
A Public Works Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Public Works Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Re... Level Public Works Director | $100,211 |
| Public Re... Level Public Works Director | $124,906 |
| Public Re... Level Public Works Director | $141,030 |
| Public Wo... Level Public Works Director | $170,312 |
| VP of Pub... Level Public Works Director | $267,555 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Public Works Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Public Works Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Public Works Director positions in Software & Networking or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Works Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $240,243 | $116.0 | 40% |
| Financial Services | $223,082 | $107.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $214,502 | $103.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $205,922 | $99.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $197,342 | $95.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Public Works Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $189,140 | $15,762 | $3,637 | $91 |
| Average | $171,602 | $14,300 | $3,300 | $83 |
| 25th Percentile | $153,215 | $12,768 | $2,946 | $74 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Public Works Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Baltimore City Department of Public Works
Baltimore, MD
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