1 Child
~22%
of income
Data updated May 2026
2022 guideline data Income Shares model OCSE FY2023 source
Maryland Child Support Guidelines
Maryland runs the Income Shares model, counting income up to $15,000/mo and a parenting-time credit - see the base percentages and OCSE FY2023 enforcement figures below.
By PlainChildSupport Editorial · · Source: Maryland Revised Statutes · Last updated: 2022
Income Shares
2 Children
~31%
of income
3 Children
~38%
of income
4 Children
~43%
of income
Income Cap
$15,000
per month
Child Support Snapshot: Maryland
Maryland operates under the Income Shares model, one of 43 U.S. states using this framework. For a parent supporting one child, the base guideline applies roughly 22% of income, scaling to 31% for two children and 38% for three. That places Maryland at rank #2 of 51 states by single-child base percentage. The state caps countable income at $15,000 per month, meaning earnings above that threshold fall to judicial discretion rather than the formula. Median household income here runs $90,203/yr.
Maryland ranks #24 of 51 reporting states on OCSE collection efficiency and #19 by caseload volume, see the case counts, collection rate, and paternity-establishment figures in the enforcement breakdown below.
Maryland allows a parenting time adjustment, which can materially reduce the base obligation when the non-custodial parent exercises substantial overnight time. A percentage figure alone doesn't determine the dollar amount, see how Maryland compares to other guideline models →
How Maryland Calculates Child Support
Maryland uses the Income Shares model. Both parents' incomes are combined, the total obligation is looked up from a schedule, then split proportionally based on each parent's income share. Its one-child base rate is one of the higher starting points nationally.
Income Shares model with schedule. Higher percentages reflect cost of living. Cap at combined $15,000/mo.
Guideline Details
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Formula Model | Income Shares |
| Income Floor | None |
| Income Ceiling | $15,000/mo combined |
| Parenting Time Adjustment | Available |
| Median Household Income | $90,203/yr |
| Single-Child Base | 22% (rank #2 of 51) |
Disclaimer: This page provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual child support amounts may differ based on judicial discretion, deviation factors, and current Maryland guidelines. Consult a family law attorney in Maryland for legal advice.
Maryland Child Support Enforcement
288,000
Active Cases
$650M
Annual Collections
61.5%
Collection Rate
76.2%
Cases with Orders
95.8%
Paternity Established
Maryland vs national average (51 reporting states)
Collection rate 61.5%
national
61.5% of assessed support collected; national average 60.6%.
Paternity established 95.8%
national
95.8% of cases have legal parentage established; national average 94.9%.
Cases with orders 76.2%
76.2% of the caseload has a formal child support order in place.
Source: OCSE FY2023 preliminary report OCSE FY2023 preliminary report
Interactive Calculator for Maryland
The Maryland interactive calculator is being finalized. Use the official state calculator below for your estimate.
Official MD CalculatorOther Income Shares States
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of income goes to child support in Maryland?
In Maryland, approximate guideline percentages are 22% for 1 child, 31% for 2 children, 38% for 3 children, and 43% for 4 children. Actual amounts depend on the income level and any applicable deviation factors.
Does parenting time affect child support in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland provides a parenting time adjustment when the non-custodial parent exercises significant overnight time (typically 40% or more). This credit reduces the base child support obligation proportionally.
Every figure on PlainChildSupport is rendered directly from official state guidelines and federal enforcement data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on official state guidelines and federal enforcement data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data sources
Data sourced from official federal and state child-support agency records (NCSL, state statutes, ACS). See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainChildSupport Editorial
