Microbiologist Salary in Washington, DC
Microbiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $114,800 a year — 30% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $82,802 take-home, or $6,900 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$16,426
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,118
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,665
- District of Columbia income tax$6,790
- Take-home pay$82,802
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Microbiologist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,070 | $29.36 | $48,727 | $4,061 |
| 25th percentile | $82,410 | $39.62 | $62,769 | $5,231 |
| Median (50th) | $114,800 | $55.19 | $82,802 | $6,900 |
| 75th percentile | $156,750 | $75.36 | $108,049 | $9,004 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $114,800 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median microbiologist's $82,802 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,046 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 3.6× the national concentration of microbiologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for microbiologists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #4 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 Washington, DC?
The median microbiologist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $114,800 a year, or about $55.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,410 and $156,750.
What is a microbiologist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $114,800 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $82,802 a year ($6,900 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,790 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a microbiologist?
Pay here is 30% above the national median of $87,990. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,046 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #4 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a microbiologist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median microbiologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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