Montgomery County, just north of Washington D.C. and Southwest of Baltimore, is known for being in close proximity to several large towns. Because of this, there are various career opportunities spread throughout the Montgomery County area.
The vast array of job opportunities makes it one of the most well-to-do counties in the United States. Most of the industries in the county fall into one of the following areas: biotechnology and research & development, general private sector, or Federal government. In depth occupational information for Montgomery County can be found here.
Biotechnical and Research & Development Job Opportunities
Montgomery County is the Mid-West’s capital for biotechnology and research& development. Biotechnology involves using living organisms to make useful products and technologies. Research & Development is the business of developing new products, but not limited to the field of biotechnology.
Montgomery County is home to many of the United States’ top research centers such as John Hopkins’ University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, to name a few. Individuals from around the United States relocate to this research center as some of the highest paying jobs in the country are located here.
General Private Sector Job Opportunities
There are many private industry firms based in the area also. To name a few, firms such as Discovery Communications, Lockheed Martin, Choice Hotels, TV One, and GEICO also call Montgomery County their home. These businesses fall into several different categories, such as, finance, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services.
Federal Government Job Opportunities
In addition to the Research and Development and other private industries, there are many government jobs in Montgomery County. Federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are also located in Montgomery County, providing many opportunities to obtain employment as a Federal Civil Servant.
According to the Maryland Department of Labor, the following chart lists jobs are in the top growth occupations:
Occupation Educational Requirements / No. of Openings in 2012 Due to Growth / Median Hourly Wages
- Lawyers Graduate Degree / 760 / $41.50
- Rehabilitation Counselors Graduate Degree / 225 / $13.00
- Speech/Language Pathologist Graduate Degree / 155 / $31.00
- General and Operations Managers Bachelor’s Degree / 2635 / $46.50
- Computer Systems Analysts Bachelor’s Degree / 2030 / $39.00
- Registered Nurse Associates Degree / 2825 / $32.00
- Computer Support Specialist Associates Degree / 1005 / $20.75
- Carpenters Technical/OJT / 895 / $20.50
- Plumbers, Pipefitters; Steamfitters Technical – OJT / 640 / $22.25
- 1st Line Supervisors; Managers of Construction Technical -OJT / 580 / $32.00
