Microbiologist Salary & Career Insights

What is the average salary for a microbiologist in the United States?

$85,470 per year

According to BLS.gov, the average salary for a microbiologist in the United States is $85,470 annually. The lowest salary is $49,070 annually, and the highest is $147,470 annually.

Job Outlook & Work Environment

Job Outlook

🚀 23,200; estimated number of microbiologists in 2023 with an estimated 1,600 additional jobs by 2033.

☀️ The projected job outlook is 7% which is faster than average.

Work Environment

💼 Microbiologists typically work in laboratories or office settings.

🏢 29% of microbiologists work in research and development departments.

Microbiologist Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries

How Does a Microbiologist Salary Stack Up?

Both patent agents ($130K) and patent attorneys ($185K) make more money than microbiologists, who generally earn around $85K annually.

If you pass the patent bar exam as a microbiologist, you can expect a much higher salary in a career in patent law.

Top Microbiologist Salaries by Industry

IndustryAverage Salary
Federal, State, and Local Government$130,270
Navigational and Control Instruments Manufacturing$106,180
Scientific Research and Development Services$104,150
Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers$101,670
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals$101,630
Annual mean wages.

Salary by Microbiologist Industry

In the U.S., the average microbiologist salary is $85,470.

The Top Microbiologist salaries by industry indicate that the Federal, State, and Local Governments offer the highest average salary, at $130,270.

Navigational and Control Instruments Manufacturing follows with an average salary of $106,180, and Scientific Research and Development Services offers $104,150.

Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers and General Medical and Surgical Hospitals provide average salaries of $101,670 and $101,630, respectively.

Experience & Education

Here are some typical daily activities of a microbiologist:

  • Working with Computers — Engaging with computer systems, including both hardware and software, to program, develop software, configure functions, input data, or manage information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Breaking down data or information into components to uncover underlying principles, reasons, or facts.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Capturing, transcribing, storing, or maintaining information in written, electronic, or magnetic formats.
  • Getting Information — Gathering, observing, and acquiring data from all relevant sources.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Applying relevant knowledge and personal judgment to assess if events or processes adhere to laws, regulations, or standards.

Here are the typical skills you need to work as a microbiologist:

  • Science — Applying scientific principles and methods to address and solve issues.
  • Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Critical Thinking — Employing logic and reasoning to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to challenges.
  • Writing — Effectively communicating through writing, tailored to meet the audience’s needs.
  • Active Learning — Recognizing the impact of new information on current and future problem-solving and decision-making processes.

Knowledge required to work as a microbiologist:

  • Biology — Understanding plant and animal organisms, including their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and environmental interactions.
  • Chemistry — Comprehending the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances, as well as the processes and transformations they undergo, including chemical uses, interactions, warnings, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • English Language — Familiarity with the structure and content of the English language, encompassing word meanings, spelling, composition rules, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics — Insight into circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, covering applications and programming.

Average Education

According to onetonline.org, 64% of microbiologists have a Bachelor’s degree, 14% have a Master’s degree, and 9% have an Associate’s degree.

Top Microbiologist Salaries by Location

Factors that Impact Pay

Top Microbiologist salaries by location show that Vellejo, CA offers the highest average salary at $138,400. Vallejo, CA follows with an average salary of $127,520, and San Francisco, CA offers $125,430. Boston, MA and Washington, DC provide average salaries of $120,040 and $115,460, respectively.

Top Microbiologist salaries by state reveal that Massachusetts offers the highest average salary at $119,460. California follows with an average salary of $110,660, and Maryland offers $107,940. Georgia and Virginia provide average salaries of $105,420 and $95,190, respectively.

Take a look at the average microbiologist salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.

CityAverage Salary
Vellejo, CA$138,400
Vallejo, CA$127,520
San Francisco, CA$125,430
Boston, MA$120,040
Washington, DC$115,460
Annual mean wages.

Look at the average microbiologist salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.

StateAverage Salary
Massachusetts$119,460
California$110,660
Maryland$107,940
Georgia$105,420
Virginia$95,190
Annual mean wages.

Related Careers

Patent Agent

Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.

Average of $130,168/year

Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.

Average of $185,351/year

Biochemists & Biophysicists

Study chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms.

Average of $107,460/year

Job Openings in the United States


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