Microbiologist Salary
Microbiologists earn a median $87,990 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$87,990
$42.30 per hour
Range
$54,670 – $150,000
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
18,940
across the U.S.
▲0.8%
Pay trend: The median for microbiologists in the U.S. rose from $87,330 (May 2024) to $87,990 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.6%.
What microbiologists do
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.2% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,500
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Microbiologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$70,731
per year · effective tax rate 19.6%
$5,894Monthly
$2,947Twice a month
$2,720Every 2 weeks
$34.01Hourly
- Federal income tax$10,528
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,455
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,276
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$70,731
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,670 | $26.28 | $46,107 |
| 25th percentile | $67,100 | $32.26 | $56,035 |
| Median (50th) | $87,990 | $42.30 | $70,731 |
| 75th percentile | $122,350 | $58.82 | $94,892 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,000 | $72.12 | $113,791 |
Microbiologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 | −3.1% | $88,995 | $75,990 – $162,760 | 1,960 |
| California | $108,530 | +1.1% | $77,906 | $62,440 – $183,420 | 2,600 |
| Maryland | $108,470 | +7.3% | $80,345 | $59,260 – $185,520 | 1,590 |
| Georgia | $103,070 | +6.2% | $76,613 | $66,510 – $158,020 | 880 |
| New Jersey | $96,020 | +17.0% | $72,454 | $57,840 – $131,700 | 790 |
| Illinois | $92,050 | +23.8% | $69,175 | $59,780 – $127,300 | 1,470 |
| Oregon | $89,220 | +0.0% | $64,619 | $65,600 – $141,130 | 170 |
| Montana | $87,750 | −1.1% | $66,965 | $53,940 – $171,600 | 80 |
| Connecticut | $86,360 | +5.2% | $66,409 | $60,800 – $134,040 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $85,860 | +4.5% | $66,315 | $57,710 – $138,600 | 1,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,650 | +19.2% | $65,783 | $50,300 – $132,040 | 670 |
| Minnesota | $83,400 | −2.3% | $63,354 | $58,050 – $138,280 | 290 |
| Delaware | $82,770 | +9.3% | $62,937 | $59,040 – $128,480 | 190 |
| Colorado | $81,640 | +18.3% | $63,380 | $49,690 – $152,730 | 370 |
| New York | $81,090 | −5.5% | $62,095 | $65,020 – $134,960 | 1,050 |
| Florida | $80,930 | +9.0% | $65,764 | $46,090 – $135,710 | 270 |
| Iowa | $79,830 | +4.4% | $62,609 | $66,780 – $138,090 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $79,430 | −8.0% | $64,709 | $57,540 – $111,120 | 170 |
| Michigan | $78,680 | +11.4% | $61,088 | $52,470 – $103,150 | 370 |
| Missouri | $78,590 | +14.5% | $61,362 | $54,540 – $163,130 | 140 |
| Indiana | $77,900 | −2.8% | $61,364 | $55,460 – $120,020 | 150 |
| Virginia | $77,820 | −11.6% | $59,916 | $55,120 – $161,470 | 280 |
| Washington | $77,690 | +0.7% | $63,485 | $53,490 – $129,480 | 340 |
| Tennessee | $77,630 | +9.1% | $63,443 | $52,880 – $143,220 | 210 |
| Alaska | $76,320 | −0.8% | $62,521 | $62,060 – $93,920 | 30 |
| Utah | $72,600 | +7.1% | $57,603 | $46,960 – $123,120 | 120 |
| Ohio | $72,500 | −4.5% | $58,622 | $46,420 – $129,590 | 530 |
| Nebraska | $72,470 | −0.7% | $57,395 | $57,160 – $166,000 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $70,970 | +9.2% | $54,894 | $56,050 – $89,810 | 60 |
| South Dakota | $70,530 | −9.3% | $58,448 | $40,820 – $107,200 | 80 |
| Kansas | $70,500 | +12.9% | $55,293 | $50,570 – $118,560 | 120 |
| Arizona | $69,880 | — | $56,452 | $52,530 – $93,310 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $68,550 | — | $54,686 | $42,740 – $82,680 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $67,100 | +5.7% | $53,859 | $46,030 – $109,040 | 420 |
| Kentucky | $66,500 | +5.7% | $53,403 | $55,100 – $123,070 | 80 |
| Texas | $66,450 | +5.9% | $55,573 | $45,850 – $103,820 | 920 |
| Idaho | $65,940 | +9.1% | $52,776 | $48,660 – $100,510 | 70 |
| Alabama | $65,690 | +18.1% | $51,942 | $38,350 – $96,660 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $64,740 | +12.2% | $51,471 | $51,820 – $98,460 | 100 |
| Nevada | $64,490 | −10.9% | $53,998 | $51,990 – $125,860 | 110 |
| Mississippi | $61,690 | −18.4% | $50,012 | $44,010 – $115,210 | — |
| Arkansas | $59,750 | −1.6% | $48,072 | $42,580 – $145,270 | 140 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $127,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.3% |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make?
The national median salary for microbiologists is $87,990 a year ($42.30 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,670 and the top 10% earn over $150,000. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays microbiologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $122,350.
How many microbiologists are there in the U.S.?
About 18,940 people work as microbiologists nationwide.