How Much Does a Microbiology Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$87,990
Microbiologists in the U.S. earn a median of $87,990 a year, or $42.30 an hour. Half of microbiologists earn more than $87,990 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $150,000.
Pay percentiles for microbiologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26.28 | $54,670 |
| 25th | $32.26 | $67,100 |
| 50th (median) | $42.30 | $87,990 |
| 75th | $58.82 | $122,350 |
| 90th | $72.12 | $150,000 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Microbiologists (SOC 19-1022). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for microbiologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 | $58.82 | +39% |
| California | $108,530 | $52.18 | +23% |
| Maryland | $108,470 | $52.15 | +23% |
| Georgia | $103,070 | $49.55 | +17% |
| New Jersey | $96,020 | $46.16 | +9% |
| Illinois | $92,050 | $44.26 | +5% |
| Oregon | $89,220 | $42.90 | +1% |
| Montana | $87,750 | $42.19 | 0% |
| Connecticut | $86,360 | $41.52 | −2% |
| North Carolina | $85,860 | $41.28 | −2% |
| United States | $87,990 | $42.30 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many microbiologists are there?
BLS counts about 18,940 microbiologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (2,600), Massachusetts (1,960) and Maryland (1,590).
The mean (average) annual wage is $97,600, higher than the median of $87,990.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $7,333
- Biweekly
- $3,384
- Weekly
- $1,692
- Daily (8 hours)
- $338
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for microbiologists is $42.30. The middle 50% earn between $32.26 and $58.82 an hour.
Which state pays microbiologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage for microbiologists at $122,350, +39% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for microbiologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of microbiologists earn less than $54,670 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.