Microbiologists Salary by State
The national median pay for microbiologists is $87,990 a year. By state, it ranges from $59,750 in Arkansas to $122,350 in Massachusetts.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $54,670
- 25th percentile
- $67,100
- Median
- $87,990
- 75th percentile
- $122,350
- Top 10%
- $150,000
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 18,940 jobs.
Median pay in 42 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $122,350 | +39% | $75,990 | $162,760 | 1,960 |
| 2 | California | $108,530 | +23% | $62,440 | $183,420 | 2,600 |
| 3 | Maryland | $108,470 | +23% | $59,260 | $185,520 | 1,590 |
| 4 | Georgia | $103,070 | +17% | $66,510 | $158,020 | 880 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $96,020 | +9% | $57,840 | $131,700 | 790 |
| 6 | Illinois | $92,050 | +5% | $59,780 | $127,300 | 1,470 |
| 7 | Oregon | $89,220 | +1% | $65,600 | $141,130 | 170 |
| 8 | Montana | $87,750 | 0% | $53,940 | $171,600 | 80 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $86,360 | −2% | $60,800 | $134,040 | 180 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $85,860 | −2% | $57,710 | $138,600 | 1,050 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $84,650 | −4% | $50,300 | $132,040 | 670 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $83,400 | −5% | $58,050 | $138,280 | 290 |
| 13 | Delaware | $82,770 | −6% | $59,040 | $128,480 | 190 |
| 14 | Colorado | $81,640 | −7% | $49,690 | $152,730 | 370 |
| 15 | New York | $81,090 | −8% | $65,020 | $134,960 | 1,050 |
| 16 | Florida | $80,930 | −8% | $46,090 | $135,710 | 270 |
| 17 | Iowa | $79,830 | −9% | $66,780 | $138,090 | 180 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $79,430 | −10% | $57,540 | $111,120 | 170 |
| 19 | Michigan | $78,680 | −11% | $52,470 | $103,150 | 370 |
| 20 | Missouri | $78,590 | −11% | $54,540 | $163,130 | 140 |
| 21 | Indiana | $77,900 | −11% | $55,460 | $120,020 | 150 |
| 22 | Virginia | $77,820 | −12% | $55,120 | $161,470 | 280 |
| 23 | Washington | $77,690 | −12% | $53,490 | $129,480 | 340 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $77,630 | −12% | $52,880 | $143,220 | 210 |
| 25 | Alaska | $76,320 | −13% | $62,060 | $93,920 | 30 |
| 26 | Utah | $72,600 | −17% | $46,960 | $123,120 | 120 |
| 27 | Ohio | $72,500 | −18% | $46,420 | $129,590 | 530 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $72,470 | −18% | $57,160 | $166,000 | 90 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $70,970 | −19% | $56,050 | $89,810 | 60 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $70,530 | −20% | $40,820 | $107,200 | 80 |
| 31 | Kansas | $70,500 | −20% | $50,570 | $118,560 | 120 |
| 32 | Arizona | $69,880 | −21% | $52,530 | $93,310 | 80 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $68,550 | −22% | $42,740 | $82,680 | 40 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $67,100 | −24% | $46,030 | $109,040 | 420 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $66,500 | −24% | $55,100 | $123,070 | 80 |
| 36 | Texas | $66,450 | −24% | $45,850 | $103,820 | 920 |
| 37 | Idaho | $65,940 | −25% | $48,660 | $100,510 | 70 |
| 38 | Alabama | $65,690 | −25% | $38,350 | $96,660 | 110 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $64,740 | −26% | $51,820 | $98,460 | 100 |
| 40 | Nevada | $64,490 | −27% | $51,990 | $125,860 | 110 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $61,690 | −30% | $44,010 | $115,210 | Not published |
| 42 | Arkansas | $59,750 | −32% | $42,580 | $145,270 | 140 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Microbiologists salary questions
Which state pays microbiologists the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $122,350 a year (+39% vs. the national median of $87,990). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays microbiologists the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $59,750 a year (−32% vs. national).
Where do most microbiologists work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,600, with a median of $108,530.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.