Academic Advisor.
Baltimore.
$54,000
median salary, 13% above the national average
$43,000 to $71,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Academic Advisor in Baltimore earns a median of $54,000 in 2026. That is 13% above the national average. The range runs from $43,000 to $71,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Institution type, caseload size, and specialization in areas like pre-medical advising or student-athlete support drive pay differences.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $49,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$35,000
to $43,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$46,000
to $57,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$59,000
to $70,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$68,000
to $84,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$54,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $67,000
How Baltimore compares
Baltimore, MD
$54,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$48,000
Baltimore is $6,000 above
Academic Advisor salary by city
Salary by role in Baltimore
What you should know
Here is what the Academic Advisor market actually looks like in Baltimore. Baltimore's economy is anchored by Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, one of the largest employers in the state. The city has strong cybersecurity, defense, and biotech sectors, benefiting from proximity to NSA, Fort Meade, and NIH. The port of Baltimore also drives significant logistics and trade employment. Institution type, caseload size, and specialization in areas like pre-medical advising or student-athlete support drive pay differences. Advisors at large research universities and well-funded private institutions earn 15 to 25% more than those at community colleges or small colleges.
Entry-level Academic Advisors earn $38,000 to $44,000. Experienced advisors with specialized caseloads reach $46,000 to $56,000. Senior Advisors and Assistant Directors command $55,000 to $70,000, while Directors of Academic Advising at large universities earn $72,000 to $95,000. In Baltimore, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. University employment typically includes tuition remission worth $5,000 to $20,000 annually, pension contributions, and generous PTO. Health insurance benefits at universities are often stronger than private sector equivalents. Summer schedules may be lighter but not eliminated. And on the tax side: maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75%, and Baltimore City adds a local income tax of 3.2%. The combined burden is among the higher ones, but federal and defense salaries compensate. When someone quotes you $54,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is extremely valuable in the Baltimore corridor. Cleared professionals earn 20 to 30% more, and the NSA and defense contractor presence drives constant demand. The range for Academic Advisors in Baltimore runs from $43,000 to $71,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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- A Licensed Practical Nurse in Baltimore earns $55,000 (2% more)
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Common questions.
Academic Advisor salary in other cities
Other salaries in Baltimore
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