Microbiologists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,070 a year or less, while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle half of microbiologists in Washington earn between $82,410 and $156,750.
- $61K10th
- $82K25th
- $115KMedian
- $157K75th
- $195K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $122,560 | $10,213 | $58.92 |
| Median | $114,800 | $9,567 | $55.19 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $82,410 | $6,868 | $39.62 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $156,750 | $13,062 | $75.36 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Microbiologists pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Microbiologists in Washington earn 26% more than the U.S. average ($97,600). At the median the gap is +30% against the U.S. median of $87,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $122,560 | $114,800 | $61,070 | $195,190 | 1,370 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $122,560, a single filer in Washington takes home about $87,587 a year, or $7,299 a month and $3,369 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $90,312 | $7,526 |
| Working in MD | $89,378 | $7,448 |
| Working in VA | $88,803 | $7,400 |
| Working in DC | $87,587 | $7,299 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for microbiologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $122,560 buys what about $112,560 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 4.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Microbiologists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$93,470
- Richmond, VA$97,920
- Harrisburg, PA$67,380
- Philadelphia, PA$95,730
- Pittsburgh, PA$68,340
- Allentown, PA$63,770
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 Washington: questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour in Washington?
$58.92 an hour on average, and $55.19 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,070 a year and the 25th percentile is $82,410, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the microbiologists take-home pay in Washington?
About $87,587 a year ($7,299 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $122,560.
Do microbiologists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 26% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.5%.
- 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 state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.58, this job is 3.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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