Employment in Baltimore

Greater Baltimore — including Baltimore and its five surrounding counties — has a civilian workforce of 1.3 million people. It is marked by a diverse urban economy that continues to prosper.

Over the years, Baltimore’s natural harbor and excellent transportation system have yielded significant industrial and manufacturing development. The city’s economy is also dependent on research and development, especially in aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies and services. The area is home to numerous federal research laboratories.

At the heart of Maryland, the port city of Baltimore has become a national center for biotechnology, life-science research, financial services, and information technology.

General Motors and Bethlehem Steel have been a part of the east Baltimore landscape for decades, while Domino Sugar's sign looms large over the Inner Harbor. More recently, Baltimore has welcomed a new wave of service industries and nonprofits, while tourism plays an ever-increasing role in the city's economy.

Johns Hopkins is Baltimore’s largest employer, with 25,000 employees. Hopkins’ discoveries have spawned the creation of 18 Maryland companies. Four major companies have their global headquarters in Baltimore: Black & Decker, Legg Mason, McCormick & Co., Inc., and T. Rowe Price. Other major employers include Alphapharm USPD, CareFirst/BlueCross/Blue Shield, Deutche Banc, Morthrop Grumman, and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).