Maryland Behavioral Health Jobs

Travel Behavioral Health Jobs
Maryland — 2026

Psych RN, LCSW-C, LCPC, PMHNP, and SUD counselor positions at Johns Hopkins, Sheppard Pratt, DPSCS forensic facilities, and DC Metro. Maryland is an NLC Compact state — multistate license holders start faster.

NLC Compact State $2,100–$3,200/wk Baltimore · DC Metro · Eastern Shore🏴 Old Line State
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Maryland BH Credential Guide

Maryland uses state-specific credential designations. LCSW-C and LCPC are NOT interchangeable with LCSW and LPC — know the difference before applying.

LCSW-CMD-Specific
$75–$115/hr

Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical

Maryland-specific — NOT "LCSW". The -C suffix is required for clinical practice.

LCPCMD-Specific
$65–$95/hr

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Maryland uses LCPC — NOT LPC or LPCC. Independent clinical practice credential.

PMHNP
$110–$160/hr

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

NLC compact applies to RN base. Full prescriptive authority in MD. Highest demand.

LMFT
$65–$90/hr

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists issues LMFT licenses.

LGPC
$50–$70/hr

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor

Entry-level supervised credential — must practice under LCPC/licensed supervisor.

LGSW
$45–$65/hr

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

Entry-level supervised social work — pathway to LCSW-C. Correctional BH roles accept.

CAC/CADC
$40–$60/hr

Certified Addiction Counselor / Drug Counselor

High demand in Baltimore opioid crisis. OTP/MAT clinic SUD counselor positions.

April 2026 Maryland BH Market Update

Sheppard Pratt Expansion

Sheppard Pratt Health System — the largest private psychiatric hospital in the US — continues facility expansion across Greater Baltimore. Traveler psych RN demand remains elevated through Q3 2026, with persistent openings on adult inpatient, adolescent, and crisis stabilization units.

Baltimore Opioid Crisis — SUD Surge

Baltimore City maintains one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the US. SAMHSA-funded OTPs (opioid treatment programs) and MAT clinics are actively recruiting SUD counselors, CAC/CADCs, and harm reduction BH staff. LCSW-C and LCPC traveler demand at SUD facilities is at a multi-year high.

DPSCS Forensic BH Demand

Maryland DPSCS operates ~25 correctional facilities with persistent BH staffing shortages. Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center (Jessup) — maximum-security forensic psychiatric — and Springfield Hospital Center (Sykesville) are top traveler destinations. LGPC and LGSW supervised positions also available in DPSCS settings.

DC Metro Federal Workforce BH

Montgomery County and Prince George's County are among the highest-paying BH markets in the country. Dense federal employee population, veterans, international embassy families, and DoD civilians drive year-round demand. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda) adds federal BH contract opportunities.

Key Maryland BH Facilities

Maryland's behavioral health infrastructure anchors one of the Mid-Atlantic's strongest psychiatric care markets.

Sheppard Pratt Health System

Baltimore, MD

Largest private psychiatric hospital in the United States. Persistent psych RN traveler demand.

Johns Hopkins Hospital — Bayview Medical Center

Baltimore, MD

World-renowned psychiatry department. Bayview psych unit — inpatient and forensic consultations.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Baltimore, MD

Level I trauma center with psychiatric emergency services and inpatient psych unit.

Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center

Jessup, MD

Maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital operated by DPSCS. Specialized forensic BH roles.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Bethesda, MD

Federal military facility. BH positions serving active duty, veterans, and DoD civilians.

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital

Baltimore, MD

MedStar network BH services — geriatric psychiatry and inpatient psych unit. Part of the MedStar Health system spanning MD and DC.

DPSCS Correctional Behavioral Health — Maryland

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) operates approximately 25 adult correctional facilities. Forensic and correctional BH is one of Maryland's most consistent traveler demand sectors.

Forensic Psychiatric Facilities

  • Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center (Jessup) — Maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital. Maryland's premier forensic BH facility. PMHNP, psych RN, and LCSW-C roles.
  • Springfield Hospital Center (Sykesville) — State psychiatric hospital serving civil and DPSCS forensic referrals. Large inpatient BH traveler market.

Key Correctional Facilities with BH Demand

  • Jessup Correctional Institution — Jessup, MD
  • Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown — Western MD
  • Eastern Correctional Institution — Eastern Shore (Somerset County)
  • North Branch Correctional Institution — Cumberland, Western MD
Credential note: DPSCS correctional BH positions accept LGPC and LGSW (supervised entry-level credentials) for mental health counselor roles under LCPC/LCSW-C supervision. This makes DPSCS an accessible entry point for Maryland BH travelers earlier in their licensure pathway.

Baltimore Opioid Crisis — BH Demand Epicenter

Baltimore City has one of the worst opioid crises in the United States — with per-capita overdose death rates among the highest of any major US city. This crisis drives sustained, mission-critical demand for behavioral health travelers in SUD roles.

OTP / MAT Clinics

Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinics across Baltimore City consistently recruit SUD counselors, CAC/CADCs, and RNs for methadone and buprenorphine program support.

Harm Reduction Programs

SAMHSA-funded harm reduction initiatives in Baltimore employ BH counselors, peer support specialists, and crisis intervention staff. LGSW and LGPC supervised roles are common entry points in harm reduction settings.

Co-Occurring Disorder Units

Baltimore hospitals — Sheppard Pratt, UMMC, Mercy Medical — operate dedicated co-occurring disorder units (dual diagnosis SUD + psychiatric) where LCSW-C and psych RN travelers are in high demand year-round.

DC Metro BH Market — Maryland Side

Montgomery County and Prince George's County — Maryland's DC-adjacent counties — represent the highest-paying behavioral health travel market in the state.

Montgomery County

  • One of the wealthiest counties in the US — high-acuity BH demand
  • Dense federal employee population (NIH, FDA, NIST, HHS — all in Bethesda/Rockville)
  • Walter Reed NNMC (Bethesda) — military BH federal contract roles
  • International/embassy families in Bethesda and Silver Spring — specialty BH demand

Prince George's County

  • Borders Washington DC — elevated federal/DoD BH services demand
  • Prince George's County Regional Medical Center — active psych traveler market
  • GSA housing rates among highest in the country — maximizes stipend value
  • Veterans population near Joint Base Andrews — VA-adjacent BH roles
Tax note — DC Metro MD: Maryland has a state income tax of 4.75% plus a county income tax. Baltimore City adds 3.2%, most counties add 2.25–3.2%, making the total effective rate approximately 7–8% for Baltimore area residents. Montgomery County adds 3.2%. Tax-free stipends are NOT subject to state or county income tax — structuring your package correctly with CatSol is critical.

Maryland Travel BH Pay by Region — 2026

Weekly pay includes taxable base pay plus tax-free housing and meal stipends. Rates vary by facility, shift differential, and experience. Stipends remain tax-free regardless of Maryland state + county income tax.

RegionPsych RNLCSW-CLCPCPMHNP
Baltimore City$2,300–$2,900/wk$75–$110/hr$65–$90/hr$120–$155/hr
DC Metro (Montgomery/PG County)$2,700–$3,200/wk$85–$115/hr$75–$95/hr$135–$160/hr
Western Maryland$2,100–$2,500/wk$65–$85/hr$60–$75/hr$110–$130/hr
Eastern Shore$2,100–$2,600/wk$65–$90/hr$60–$78/hr$110–$135/hr
Southern Maryland$2,200–$2,700/wk$70–$95/hr$62–$82/hr$115–$140/hr

* Pay ranges are estimated all-in weekly packages for 13-week travel contracts as of April 2026. Individual offers vary by facility, experience, and shift. Contact CatSol for exact quotes.

Live Maryland Behavioral Health Jobs

Updated every 4 hours from our live job database. All positions open to travel healthcare professionals with active Maryland licensure or NLC compact license.

New Maryland BH positions are added daily. Submit your profile and we will match you to openings as they post.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Maryland BH Travel Jobs

What is the difference between LCSW-C and LCSW in Maryland?
Maryland uses LCSW-C — Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical — not the standard LCSW. The -C suffix is required for clinical practice authorization in Maryland. Social workers from other states holding LCSW licenses must apply for LCSW-C endorsement through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The entry-level supervised credential in Maryland is LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker). Never list your credential as 'LCSW' on a Maryland application — use LCSW-C.
Does Maryland use LCPC or LPC for counselors?
Maryland uses LCPC — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor — for independent clinical counseling practice. Maryland does NOT use LPC or LPCC. The entry-level supervised credential is LGPC (Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor). LPC or LPCC holders from other states apply for LCPC by endorsement through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. Processing typically takes 6–10 weeks.
How much do travel psych RNs make in Maryland?
Travel psych RNs in Maryland earn $2,100–$3,200 per week depending on location. DC Metro area (Montgomery and Prince George's County) pays $2,700–$3,200/week — the highest in the state due to elevated federal GSA housing rates. Baltimore City pays $2,300–$2,900/week. Western Maryland and Eastern Shore pay $2,100–$2,600/week. Tax-free housing and meal stipends form a significant portion of total weekly pay.
Are there correctional behavioral health jobs in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland DPSCS operates approximately 25 facilities. Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center (Jessup) is a maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital with specialized BH roles. Springfield Hospital Center (Sykesville) serves as the state psychiatric hospital with DPSCS referrals. Additional correctional BH positions exist at Jessup Correctional Institution, Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown, and Eastern Correctional Institution on the Eastern Shore.
What makes the Baltimore BH market unique?
Baltimore has one of the worst opioid crises of any major US city, driving exceptional demand for SUD counselors, MAT clinic nurses, OTP (opioid treatment program) staff, and harm reduction BH workers. SAMHSA funding continuously supports expanded BH services in Baltimore City. Sheppard Pratt — the largest private psychiatric hospital in the US — is headquartered in Baltimore and regularly uses travel staff. Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland Medical Center add additional BH demand.
Does Maryland reciprocate behavioral health licenses from other states?
Maryland offers endorsement pathways for LCSW-C, LCPC, and LMFT from most states. Maryland is an NLC Compact state, so psych RNs and PMHNPs with a multistate compact license can practice immediately without a separate MD license. Non-nursing BH licenses (LCSW-C, LCPC) take 6–10 weeks for endorsement. Maryland has not yet joined the LCSW Compact or Counseling Compact, so non-nursing BH clinicians cannot use compact privileges — plan licensing timelines accordingly.

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Ready for a Maryland Behavioral Health Contract?

Johns Hopkins. Sheppard Pratt. DC Metro. DPSCS forensic. CatSol places BH travelers across all Maryland markets — LCSW-C, LCPC, Psych RN, PMHNP.

NLC Compact state — multistate RN license holders start immediately. Non-nursing BH clinicians: allow 6–10 weeks for Maryland credential endorsement.

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Last updated: April 27, 2026. Pay ranges reflect April 2026 market rates.