Microbiologist Salary in Atlanta, GA
Microbiologists in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $109,320 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,686 take-home, or $6,724 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median microbiologist salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,220
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,778
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,585
- Georgia income tax$5,051
- Take-home pay$80,686
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.19% state
Microbiologist pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,500 | $31.97 | $52,784 | $4,399 |
| 25th percentile | $85,780 | $41.24 | $65,347 | $5,446 |
| Median (50th) | $109,320 | $52.56 | $80,686 | $6,724 |
| 75th percentile | $133,720 | $64.29 | $96,346 | $8,029 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,410 | $78.08 | $114,467 | $9,539 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $109,320 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median microbiologist's $80,686 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,639 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.8× the national concentration of microbiologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for microbiologists, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #2 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $122,350 | $88,995 | $82,200 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $109,320 | $80,686 | $80,639 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $130,070 | $90,611 | $78,374 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $114,800 | $82,802 | $76,046 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $101,990 | $77,449 | $75,520 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $100,620 | $74,780 | $72,185 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,420 | $73,061 | $64,333 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $85,710 | $65,096 | $57,830 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make in Atlanta, GA?
The median microbiologist salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $109,320 a year, or about $52.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,780 and $133,720.
What is a microbiologist’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $109,320 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $80,686 a year ($6,724 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,051 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a microbiologist?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $87,990. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,639 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #2 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a microbiologist afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median microbiologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $137,680
- School Psychologist — $99,110
- Chemist — $97,930
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $97,160
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $97,090
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $91,620
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $88,610
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $87,820
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $87,490
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other — $87,180
- Urban and Regional Planner — $81,240
- Occupational Health and Safety Technician — $67,550