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Microbiologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Microbiologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Microbiologist in the United States is $82,913 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Microbiologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,379
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,245 to $92,055
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,263
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Microbiologist Salaries

A Microbiologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Microbiologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Microbiologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $58,139
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,100
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $82,241
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $92,529
  • Expert (over 8 years): $132,495
Levels Salary
Microbiol... Level Microbiologist$58,139
Microbiol... Level Microbiologist$72,100
Microbiol... Level Microbiologist$82,241
Microbiol... Level Microbiologist$92,529
Microbiol... Level Microbiologist$132,495
View as Graph

How Do Microbiologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Microbiologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $91,801.
  • California: $91,453.
  • Massachusetts: $90,234.

Top Paying Cities for Microbiologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $104,578
  • San Francisco: $103,433
  • Oakland: $101,253

What Skills Can Increase a Microbiologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.01% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Chemistry (Mentioned in 3.58% Job Postings): Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances of which matter is composed.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.01%
Chemistry 3.58%
ISO 1.81%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Microbiologist's salary.

  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Quality Management $101,154
22%
Collaboration $90,375
9%
Communication Skills $90,375
9%
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Microbiologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Microbiologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Microbiologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Microbiologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Microbiologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$99,495$48.020%
Energy & Utilities$95,350$46.015%
Healthcare$91,204$44.010%
Chemicals$87,058$42.05%

How Education impacts a Microbiologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Microbiologists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Microbiologist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $75,442 and $81,153).

Microbiologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Microbiologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 39.8%
High School 29.5%
Associates 30.7%
Bachelors 39.8%
Masters 29.5%
Doctorate 30.7%
View as Graph

Microbiologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Microbiologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$75,245
Average $82,913/year
$92,055
$6,270
Average $6,909/month
$7,671
$1,447
Average $1,594/week
$1,770
$36
Average $40/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,055 $7,671 $1,770 $44
Average $82,913 $6,909 $1,594 $40
25th Percentile $75,245 $6,270 $1,447 $36

Most common benefits for Microbiologist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Microbiologist

Here are companies hiring for Microbiologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Microbiologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Microbiologist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Microbiologist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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