Microbiologists: salary, outlook & degrees
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Middle half $67,100–$122,350. 18,940 jobs.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Census ACS 2020-2024 microdata, workers with at least a high school diploma; EducationGuide calculation
About 1,500 openings a year, including replacements.
BLS Employment Projections 2025-35
Considerable preparation (usually a bachelor's).
BLS; O*NET 31.0 job zone
Education workers say the job requires
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers (“required level of education”); small samples, so treat shares as approximate.
Pay by state and metro
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 |
| California | $108,530 |
| Maryland | $108,470 |
| Georgia | $103,070 |
| New Jersey | $96,020 |
| Illinois | $92,050 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Montana | $87,750 |
| Connecticut | $86,360 |
| North Carolina | $85,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,650 |
| Minnesota | $83,400 |
| Delaware | $82,770 |
| Colorado | $81,640 |
| New York | $81,090 |
| Florida | $80,930 |
| Iowa | $79,830 |
| New Hampshire | $79,430 |
| Michigan | $78,680 |
| Missouri | $78,590 |
| Indiana | $77,900 |
| Virginia | $77,820 |
| Washington | $77,690 |
| Tennessee | $77,630 |
| Alaska | $76,320 |
| Utah | $72,600 |
| Ohio | $72,500 |
| Nebraska | $72,470 |
| Hawaii | $70,970 |
| South Dakota | $70,530 |
| Kansas | $70,500 |
| Arizona | $69,880 |
| West Virginia | $68,550 |
| Wisconsin | $67,100 |
| Kentucky | $66,500 |
| Texas | $66,450 |
| Idaho | $65,940 |
| Alabama | $65,690 |
| South Carolina | $64,740 |
| Nevada | $64,490 |
| PR | $63,680 |
| Mississippi | $61,690 |
| Arkansas | $59,750 |
Largest metro areas for this job
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH$122,350
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV$114,800
- New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ$85,710
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN$100,620
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA$100,420
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont CA$130,070
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell GA$109,320
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD$101,990
- Durham-Chapel Hill NC$85,860
- Raleigh-Cary NC$85,010
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands TX$66,450
- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MD$85,120
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: median annual wage, all workers in the job. Metro areas: the largest by employment.
What the work takes
Top skills
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
Knowledge used
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
Work styles
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Innovation
People in this job tend to have Investigative (analytical), Realistic (hands-on), Conventional (organizing) interests.
O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0): skills and knowledge by importance; work styles; interest high points.
Microbiologists: questions
How much do microbiologists make?
Microbiologists earn a U.S. median $87,990 a year; the middle half earn $67,100 to $122,350 (BLS, May 2025).
Is microbiologists a growing field?
BLS projects growth of 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year, including replacements.
What degree do you need to be a microbiologist?
BLS lists the typical entry education as bachelor's degree. In O*NET's survey, 91% of workers say a bachelor's or higher is required.
How much do microbiologists make in Florida?
The median in Florida is $80,930 a year (BLS, May 2025), compared with $87,990 nationally.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35); O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); U.S. Census Bureau ACS microdata. SOC 19-1022. Method
Data: JSON · Markdown · all careers
Cite this: “Microbiologists: salary, outlook and degrees,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/careers/microbiologists.