Microbiologist Salary in San Francisco, CA
Microbiologists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $130,070 a year — 48% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,611 take-home, or $7,551 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median microbiologist salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,951
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,064
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,886
- California income tax$7,867
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,691
- Take-home pay$90,611
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Microbiologist pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,430 | $36.75 | $58,703 | $4,892 |
| 25th percentile | $108,520 | $52.17 | $77,900 | $6,492 |
| Median (50th) | $130,070 | $62.53 | $90,611 | $7,551 |
| 75th percentile | $178,640 | $85.88 | $118,660 | $9,888 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,530 | $89.68 | $123,343 | $10,279 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $130,070 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median microbiologist's $90,611 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,374 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Francisco, CA has 2.4× the national concentration of microbiologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for microbiologists, adjusted for cost of living
San Francisco, CA ranks #3 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 →
Microbiologist salaries elsewhere in California
- Los Angeles, CA — $100,420
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make in San Francisco, CA?
The median microbiologist salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $130,070 a year, or about $62.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $108,520 and $178,640.
What is a microbiologist’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $130,070 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $90,611 a year ($7,551 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,558 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a microbiologist?
Pay here is 48% above the national median of $87,990. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,374 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #3 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a microbiologist afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median microbiologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $166,400
- Biochemist and Biophysicist — $165,050
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $160,180
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $138,160
- Urban and Regional Planner — $136,250
- School Psychologist — $130,540
- Chemist — $127,790
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $127,210
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $126,860
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- Social Science Research Assistant — $82,020
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health — $80,840