Workforce Development & Job Security

Job security today doesn’t come from a paycheck alone. It comes from the power to adapt. And that power begins with how we train, support, and invest in our workforce.

Maryland’s overall numbers are strong—but they mask regional disparities. Counties like Anne Arundel and St. Mary’s are economic engines, while others like Charles and Calvert need more local job creation and skills alignment. Prince George’s, with its size and diversity, is a bellwether: if we get workforce development right there, it can ripple across the region.

We’re already making progress—through workforce hubs, employer partnerships, and expanded access to training. But we need deeper collaboration. We need our business leaders to co-design programs. We need regional strategies that align with growth sectors like healthcare, logistics, and green infrastructure.

Let’s take a closer look:

• Prince George’s County has a workforce of over 498,000 residents, but saw a 0.47% employment decline from 2022 to 2023. The average weekly wage is $1,453, and 11% of youth aged 18–24 are disconnected from school and work—roughly 105,000 young adults.

• Charles County has grown 11.4% since 2010, with 28.7% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Yet 64% of residents commute outside the county for work, and the average weekly wage is $1,184.

• St. Mary’s County is home to 49,393 jobs and boasts the highest average weekly wage among Maryland’s smaller counties at $1,652—thanks in large part to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, which supports over 36,000 jobs and contributes $7.5 billion to the state economy. Still, the county experienced a 1.58% employment decline over the past year, and 70–80% of its economy is tied to the base, highlighting the need for diversification.

• Anne Arundel County leads the state in job growth among large counties, with a 2.3% increase in employment from 2023 to 2024. It supports nearly 293,000 jobs, and the average weekly wage is $1,560. Yet, sectors like manufacturing and financial services are seeing only modest gains, and the county’s unemployment rate rose to 2.6% in April 2025.

• Calvert County has a labor force of about 49,000, with an average weekly wage of $1,230. While 86% of residents own their homes, over 40% commute more than 40 minutes to work, and employment declined by 1.27% from 2021 to 2022. The county’s largest sectors are public administration, construction, and healthcare.

Workforce development is how we meet this moment.

It’s how we help a high school graduate in Lexington Park land a skilled trade apprenticeship. It’s how we support a young adult in Glen Burnie to earn a tech certification. And it’s how we ensure that a parent in Lusby doesn’t have to choose between a paycheck and their child’s future.

Southern Maryland is ready. Our people are ready. Let’s invest in them—because when they thrive, our entire region rises with them.