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Top 15 cities for microbiologists by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $135,860 |
|---|---|
| Santa Rosa, CA | $126,450 |
| Vallejo, CA | $125,010 |
| San Jose, CA | $124,300 |
| Athens, GA | $123,910 |
| Sacramento, CA | $123,550 |
| Washington, DC | $122,560 |
| Boston, MA | $121,080 |
| Worcester, MA | $113,530 |
| Atlanta, GA | $113,080 |
| Memphis, TN | $112,180 |
| Denver, CO | $104,350 |
| San Diego, CA | $103,650 |
| Peoria, IL | $103,130 |
| Modesto, CA | $102,370 |
Map: Microbiologists salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Microbiologists salary by state
Massachusetts pays microbiologists the most statewide, $119,700 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $122,560 | $122,560 |
| Massachusetts | $119,700 | $122,350 | 1,960 | 2 | $121,080 | $113,530 |
| Maryland | $114,990 | $108,470 | 1,590 | 1 | $93,470 | $93,470 |
| California | $114,790 | $108,530 | 2,600 | 11 | $135,860 | $92,560 |
| Georgia | $108,930 | $103,070 | 880 | 2 | $123,910 | $113,080 |
| Montana | $104,520 | $87,750 | 80 | 1 | $67,010 | $67,010 |
| Oregon | $97,510 | $89,220 | 170 | 1 | $99,420 | $99,420 |
| New Jersey | $95,920 | $96,020 | 790 | 1 | $90,700 | $90,700 |
| North Carolina | $95,490 | $85,860 | 1,050 | 4 | $101,980 | $92,820 |
| Minnesota | $95,220 | $83,400 | 290 | 1 | $97,280 | $97,280 |
| Virginia | $94,580 | $77,820 | 280 | 1 | $97,920 | $97,920 |
| Missouri | $94,410 | $78,590 | 140 | 2 | $94,680 | $80,610 |
| Illinois | $93,850 | $92,050 | 1,470 | 3 | $103,130 | $69,280 |
| New York | $93,220 | $81,090 | 1,050 | 3 | $96,080 | $76,880 |
| Connecticut | $93,070 | $86,360 | 180 | 1 | $83,880 | $83,880 |
| Colorado | $91,930 | $81,640 | 370 | 1 | $104,350 | $104,350 |
| Iowa | $91,170 | $79,830 | 180 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Delaware | $88,280 | $82,770 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $87,610 | $80,930 | 270 | 2 | $87,030 | $75,750 |
| Nebraska | $87,580 | $72,470 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $87,520 | $77,630 | 210 | 2 | $112,180 | $75,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,370 | $84,650 | 670 | 4 | $95,730 | $63,770 |
| Nevada | $85,220 | $64,490 | 110 | 2 | $90,620 | $80,320 |
| Indiana | $84,570 | $77,900 | 150 | 1 | $81,810 | $81,810 |
| Washington | $84,170 | $77,690 | 340 | 1 | $88,310 | $88,310 |
| New Hampshire | $82,630 | $79,430 | 170 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $82,120 | $59,750 | 140 | 1 | $57,510 | $57,510 |
| Michigan | $80,240 | $78,680 | 370 | 4 | $88,900 | $76,610 |
| Utah | $79,830 | $72,600 | 120 | 2 | $89,540 | $62,460 |
| Ohio | $79,300 | $72,500 | 530 | 4 | $87,060 | $74,380 |
| Kansas | $78,920 | $70,500 | 120 | 1 | $92,130 | $92,130 |
| Alaska | $78,560 | $76,320 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Dakota | $75,990 | $70,530 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $75,570 | $66,500 | 80 | 1 | $77,270 | $77,270 |
| Wisconsin | $73,280 | $67,100 | 420 | 2 | $78,970 | $67,430 |
| Idaho | $73,080 | $65,940 | 70 | 1 | $63,380 | $63,380 |
| Texas | $72,510 | $66,450 | 920 | 4 | $83,810 | $66,800 |
| Arizona | $72,040 | $69,880 | 80 | 1 | $72,310 | $72,310 |
| South Carolina | $72,030 | $64,740 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | $71,820 | $70,970 | 60 | 1 | $70,520 | $70,520 |
| West Virginia | $70,360 | $68,550 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $69,120 | $65,690 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi | $67,720 | $61,690 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Puerto Rico | $66,560 | $63,680 | 190 | 1 | $68,290 | $68,290 |
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Microbiologists salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $135,860 | $130,070 | $65.32 | 700 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $126,450 | $123,590 | $60.79 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $125,010 | $115,980 | $60.10 | 30 |
| San Jose, CA | $124,300 | $123,910 | $59.76 | 190 |
| Athens, GA | $123,910 | $112,440 | $59.57 | 80 |
| Sacramento, CA | $123,550 | $112,470 | $59.40 | 150 |
| Washington, DC | $122,560 | $114,800 | $58.92 | 1,370 |
| Boston, MA | $121,080 | $122,350 | $58.21 | 1,810 |
| Worcester, MA | $113,530 | $115,660 | $54.58 | 90 |
| Atlanta, GA | $113,080 | $109,320 | $54.37 | 630 |
| Memphis, TN | $112,180 | $114,840 | $53.93 | 70 |
| Denver, CO | $104,350 | $95,980 | $50.17 | 130 |
| San Diego, CA | $103,650 | $108,900 | $49.83 | 270 |
| Peoria, IL | $103,130 | $93,240 | $49.58 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $102,370 | $59,470 | $49.22 | 80 |
| Durham, NC | $101,980 | $85,860 | $49.03 | 400 |
| Fresno, CA | $101,640 | $91,890 | $48.87 | 30 |
| Riverside, CA | $101,600 | $102,590 | $48.85 | 70 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,560 | $100,420 | $48.83 | 780 |
| Portland, OR | $99,420 | $90,460 | $47.80 | 140 |
| Richmond, VA | $97,920 | $90,930 | $47.08 | 50 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $97,280 | $85,340 | $46.77 | 260 |
| New York, NY | $96,080 | $85,710 | $46.19 | 1,330 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $95,730 | $101,990 | $46.02 | 570 |
| Chicago, IL | $95,550 | $100,620 | $45.94 | 1,240 |
| Wilmington, NC | $94,920 | $80,470 | $45.63 | n/a |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,680 | $89,630 | $45.52 | 120 |
| Raleigh, NC | $94,150 | $85,010 | $45.27 | 330 |
| Baltimore, MD | $93,470 | $85,120 | $44.94 | 290 |
| Charlotte, NC | $92,820 | $85,470 | $44.62 | 80 |
| Oxnard, CA | $92,560 | $80,540 | $44.50 | 30 |
| Manhattan, KS | $92,130 | $81,330 | $44.29 | 40 |
| Trenton, NJ | $90,700 | $86,120 | $43.61 | 70 |
| Reno, NV | $90,620 | $75,310 | $43.57 | 50 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $89,540 | $80,270 | $43.05 | 60 |
| Buffalo, NY | $89,220 | $79,910 | $42.89 | 70 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $88,900 | $89,240 | $42.74 | 60 |
| Seattle, WA | $88,310 | $77,690 | $42.46 | 220 |
| Columbus, OH | $87,060 | $78,030 | $41.86 | 170 |
| Tampa, FL | $87,030 | $79,990 | $41.84 | 40 |
| Hartford, CT | $83,880 | $84,880 | $40.33 | 110 |
| San Antonio, TX | $83,810 | $80,870 | $40.30 | 90 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $81,810 | $77,770 | $39.33 | 100 |
| Kansas City, MO | $80,610 | $70,220 | $38.76 | 40 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $80,320 | $62,790 | $38.62 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $78,970 | $67,940 | $37.97 | 270 |
| Lansing, MI | $78,900 | $67,960 | $37.93 | 100 |
| Detroit, MI | $78,570 | $73,690 | $37.77 | 70 |
| Cleveland, OH | $77,980 | $73,600 | $37.49 | 70 |
| Lexington, KY | $77,270 | $66,500 | $37.15 | 50 |
| Rochester, NY | $76,880 | $68,850 | $36.96 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $76,610 | $76,220 | $36.83 | 60 |
| Miami, FL | $75,750 | $66,730 | $36.42 | 80 |
| Nashville, TN | $75,100 | $77,620 | $36.11 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $75,060 | $65,910 | $36.09 | 170 |
| Dayton, OH | $74,380 | $62,090 | $35.76 | 40 |
| Dallas, TX | $73,100 | $78,120 | $35.14 | 160 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $72,310 | $69,880 | $34.77 | 60 |
| Houston, TX | $70,730 | $66,450 | $34.01 | 320 |
| Honolulu, HI | $70,520 | $65,650 | $33.90 | 50 |
| Champaign, IL | $69,280 | $66,560 | $33.31 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $68,340 | $59,940 | $32.86 | 120 |
| San Juan, PR | $68,290 | $63,960 | $32.83 | 140 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $67,430 | $65,160 | $32.42 | 70 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $67,380 | $61,710 | $32.40 | 50 |
| Bozeman, MT | $67,010 | $65,120 | $32.22 | 40 |
| Austin, TX | $66,800 | $61,310 | $32.12 | 140 |
| Allentown, PA | $63,770 | $55,090 | $30.66 | 40 |
| Boise, ID | $63,380 | $61,860 | $30.47 | 40 |
| Provo, UT | $62,460 | $61,840 | $30.03 | 40 |
| Little Rock, AR | $57,510 | $51,520 | $27.65 | 70 |
Related jobs
- Food Scientists and TechnologistsU.S. average $95,360
- Biochemists and BiophysicistsU.S. average $129,840
- Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsU.S. average $83,020
- Biological Scientists, All OtherU.S. average $106,330
- EpidemiologistsU.S. average $97,890
- Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsU.S. average $116,840
- Life Scientists, All OtherU.S. average $107,860
- Conservation ScientistsU.S. average $77,130
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Microbiologists salary: questions
Where do microbiologists make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $135,860 a year, among the 71 metro areas we cover.
What is the average microbiologists salary in the U.S.?
$97,600 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $87,990, so half of microbiologists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should microbiologists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of microbiologists nationwide earn between $67,100 (25th percentile) and $122,350 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays microbiologists the most?
Massachusetts, with a statewide average of $119,700 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is microbiologists pay the lowest?
Little Rock, AR, at $57,510 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1022.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.