QC Microbiology Salary in the United States

How much does a QC Microbiology make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a QC Microbiology in the United States is $48,159 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,985
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,797 to $54,349
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,825

Key Factors That Influence QC Microbiology Salaries

A QC Microbiology'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects QC Microbiology Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a QC Microbiology'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): $47,704
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $78,767
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,295
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,976
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,091
Levels Salary
QC Microb... Level QC Microbiology$47,704
Recruitin... Level QC Microbiology$78,767
Recruitin... Level QC Microbiology$100,295
Recruitin... Level QC Microbiology$115,976
Recruitin... Level QC Microbiology$151,091

How Do QC Microbiology 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 QC Microbiologies. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,322.
  • California: $53,119.
  • Massachusetts: $52,411.

Top Paying Cities for QC Microbiologies

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: $60,743
  • San Francisco: $60,078
  • Oakland: $58,812

What Skills Can Increase a QC Microbiology's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 9.55% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Administrative Support (Mentioned in 3.09% Job Postings): Administrative support means technical assistance, studies, surveys, or securing volunteers to assist the department in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.
  • Administrative Management (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Designing and managing the whole structure of our business to ensure that the flow of information is effective and that resources are used efficiently.
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 9.55%
Administrative Support 3.09%
Administrative Management 1.31%

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 QC Microbiology's salary.

  • Data Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Talent Acquisition: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Integrity $56,346
17%
Insight $55,383
15%
Talent Acquisition $52,975
10%

QC Microbiology Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For QC Microbiology roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, QC Microbiology positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QC Microbiology as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a QC Microbiology

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$62,607$30.030%
Internet$60,199$29.025%
Aerospace & Defense$57,791$28.020%
Financial Services$57,791$28.020%
Software & Networking$57,791$28.020%

QC Microbiology Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a QC Microbiology'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
$43,797
Average $48,159/year
$54,349
$3,650
Average $4,013/month
$4,529
$842
Average $926/week
$1,045
$21
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $54,349 $4,529 $1,045 $26
Average $48,159 $4,013 $926 $23
25th Percentile $43,797 $3,650 $842 $21

Most common benefits for QC Microbiology

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

Common company salaries for QC Microbiology

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

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FAQ about QC Microbiology

1. What industry pays the highest salary for QC Microbiology?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for QC Microbiology roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

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