Microbiologist Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Microbiologists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $101,990 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,449 take-home, or $6,454 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median microbiologist salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,608
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,323
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,479
- Pennsylvania income tax$3,131
- Take-home pay$77,449
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Microbiologist pay by experience in Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,010 | $26.93 | $45,465 | $3,789 |
| 25th percentile | $73,880 | $35.52 | $58,536 | $4,878 |
| Median (50th) | $101,990 | $49.03 | $77,449 | $6,454 |
| 75th percentile | $107,810 | $51.83 | $81,365 | $6,780 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,040 | $63.48 | $97,462 | $8,122 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,990 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median microbiologist's $77,449 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,520 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Philadelphia, PA has 1.6× the national concentration of microbiologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for microbiologists, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #5 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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median microbiologist salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $101,990 a year, or about $49.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,880 and $107,810.
What is a microbiologist’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $101,990 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $77,449 a year ($6,454 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,131 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a microbiologist?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $87,990. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,520 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #5 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a microbiologist afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 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 Philadelphia, PA
- Biochemist and Biophysicist — $134,090
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $112,690
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $106,670
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $102,950
- Chemist — $95,440
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — $94,850
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $88,090
- Urban and Regional Planner — $83,750
- School Psychologist — $82,190
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $77,710
- Chemical Technician — $66,940
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other — $64,840