How much does a microbiologist make?
The median microbiologist in the United States earns $87,330 per year, about $41.98 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all microbiologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 19-1022.
Microbiologist salary range
Pay for microbiologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $51,220 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $150,650. The average (mean) wage of $95,200 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,220 | $24.63 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $63,920 | $30.73 | |
| Median (50th) | $87,330 | $41.98 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $120,750 | $58.05 | |
| 90th percentile | $150,650 | $72.43 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for microbiologists (SOC 19-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Microbiologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Microbiologists earn the most in Massachusetts at $126,260 a year, and the least in Alabama at $55,600. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $126,260 | 2,110 |
| California | $107,380 | 2,510 |
| Maryland | $101,060 | 2,040 |
| Georgia | $97,090 | 990 |
| Maine | $94,920 | 60 |
| Oregon | $89,220 | 160 |
| Montana | $88,770 | 110 |
| Virginia | $88,080 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $86,380 | 170 |
| New York | $85,850 | 1,090 |
| Minnesota | $85,340 | 430 |
| North Carolina | $82,170 | 1,320 |
| Connecticut | $82,080 | 290 |
| New Jersey | $82,070 | 1,080 |
| Indiana | $80,110 | 230 |
| South Dakota | $77,730 | 130 |
| Washington | $77,130 | 350 |
| Alaska | $76,900 | 40 |
| Iowa | $76,490 | 160 |
| Ohio | $75,940 | 530 |
| Delaware | $75,720 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $75,590 | 40 |
| Illinois | $74,350 | 840 |
| Florida | $74,220 | 300 |
| Nebraska | $72,950 | 70 |
| Nevada | $72,380 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $71,140 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,010 | 780 |
| Michigan | $70,610 | 340 |
| Colorado | $69,010 | 370 |
| Missouri | $68,630 | 130 |
| Utah | $67,780 | 140 |
| Hawaii | $65,000 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $63,470 | 690 |
| Kentucky | $62,900 | 80 |
| Texas | $62,720 | 690 |
| Kansas | $62,470 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $61,420 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $60,710 | 140 |
| Idaho | $60,450 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $57,690 | 90 |
| Alabama | $55,600 | 90 |
State median wages for microbiologists (SOC 19-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for microbiologists
The BLS projects employment of microbiologists to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 20,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 21,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for microbiologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a microbiologist
The typical entry-level education for microbiologists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a microbiologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $126,260) and the lowest (Alabama, $55,600) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,760 people work as microbiologists in the United States. At $87,330 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Microbiologist salary FAQ
How much does a microbiologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a microbiologist is $41.98. The middle half of microbiologists earn between $30.73 and $58.05 per hour.
What is the highest microbiologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of microbiologists earn more than $150,650 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a microbiologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a microbiologist is $87,330. The average (mean) wage of $95,200 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a microbiologist a well paid job?
At $87,330 a year, a microbiologist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,760 people work as microbiologists in the United States.
Which state pays microbiologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for microbiologists at $126,260 a year. California ($107,380) and Maryland ($101,060) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a microbiologist a good career?
Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a microbiologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for microbiologists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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