Microbiologists pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,690 a year or less, while the top 10% make $143,220 or more. The middle half of microbiologists in Memphis earn between $74,600 and $143,220.
- $51K10th
- $75K25th
- $115KMedian
- $143K75th
- $143K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $112,180 | $9,348 | $53.93 |
| Median | $114,840 | $9,570 | $55.21 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $74,600 | $6,217 | $35.87 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $143,220 | $11,935 | $68.86 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Microbiologists pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Microbiologists in Memphis earn 28% more than the Tennessee average ($87,520) and 15% more than the U.S. average ($97,600). At the median the gap is +31% against the U.S. median of $87,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $112,180 | $114,840 | $50,690 | $143,220 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $87,520 | $77,630 | $52,880 | $143,220 | 210 |
| United States | $97,600 | $87,990 | $54,670 | $150,000 | 18,940 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Microbiologists salary after taxes in Memphis
On the average salary of $112,180, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $87,749 a year, or $7,312 a month and $3,375 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $87,749 | $7,312 |
| Working in MS | $83,993 | $6,999 |
| Working in AR | $83,799 | $6,983 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for microbiologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $112,180 buys what about $121,698 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 2.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Microbiologists salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 1st of 2 Tennessee metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Memphis$112,180
- Nashville$75,100
Highest-paying cities for microbiologists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($135,860).
- San Francisco, CA$135,860
- Santa Rosa, CA$126,450
- Vallejo, CA$125,010
- San Jose, CA$124,300
- Athens, GA$123,910
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Microbiologists salary in Memphis: questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour in Memphis?
$53.93 an hour on average, and $55.21 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,690 a year and the 25th percentile is $74,600, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the microbiologists take-home pay in Memphis?
About $87,749 a year ($7,312 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $112,180. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do microbiologists earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% more than the U.S. average for this job ($97,600).
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; area Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.92, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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