Bethesda, Maryland Income Statistics
Bethesda Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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A+
Bethesda Top grade
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Bethesda | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $191,922 | $103,916 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $126,649 | $75,715 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.5% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 45.4% | 20.7% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 48.0% | 20.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bethesda is about 85% higher than in Maryland. Income has been growing slower in Bethesda (3.5%/yr) than in Maryland (4.0%/yr).
About 45% of adults in Bethesda earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Maryland average of 21%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bethesda, Maryland grew by 51.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $191,922 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.5% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Bethesda
| Metric | Bethesda | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.461 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $134,618 | $84,327 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $115,466 | $72,201 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.2% | 14.4% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Bethesda, it is 0.461, lower than Maryland's 0.534, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 17% more than women's income in Bethesda, Maryland. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $670,320 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bethesda, Maryland has narrowed from about 36% to 14% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $24,802 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bethesda | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 38.2% | 19.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 27 | 28 | 22 |
Approximately 1,214 people are unemployed in Bethesda, Maryland.
The average commute time in Bethesda is 27 minutes, shorter than the 28 minutes in Maryland.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bethesda, Maryland has fallen from 3.9% to 3.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 3.9% in 2012 and fell as low as 3.0% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bethesda, Maryland has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it far better than Maryland, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bethesda, Maryland.
How Rich Is Bethesda, Maryland?
Bethesda has a wealth index grade of A+. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A+ grade means it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $191,922, about 85% higher than the Maryland average of $103,916.
How has median household income changed in Bethesda, Maryland?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Bethesda, Maryland rose 52%, from $126,405 to $191,922. Over the same years, income here outpaced Maryland as a whole: +52% against +49%.
What was the median household income in Bethesda in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bethesda, Maryland was $191,272, up 3% from $184,953 in 2022. The Maryland median that year was $101,974.
What was the median household income in Bethesda in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bethesda, Maryland was $171,954. By 2024 it had risen 12% to $191,922.
Do many residents of Bethesda, Maryland earn over $100,000?
Yes. 45% of adults in Bethesda, Maryland earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 2), against 21% (about 1 in 5) in Maryland. 48% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 20% in Maryland.
Is it hard to find a job in Bethesda, Maryland?
Unemployment in Bethesda, Maryland is only 3.1%, well below the Maryland rate of 4.8%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bethesda, Maryland?
The Gini coefficient in Bethesda is 0.461. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Bethesda, Maryland?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bethesda, Maryland has narrowed from about 36% to 14% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $24,802 since 2009.
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