Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, South Dakota
$78,500 / year
≈ $6,550 per month · $37.74 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for South Dakota · median $73,000
25th percentile
$54,000Average
$78,50075th percentile
$84,500
$54,000Average
$78,50075th percentile
$84,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Microbiologist salary by state
Alabama$71,500
Alaska$81,500
Arizona$74,500
Arkansas$85,000
California$119,000
Colorado$95,000
Connecticut$96,500
Delaware$91,500
Florida$90,500
Georgia$112,500
Hawaii$74,500
Idaho$75,500
Illinois$97,000
Indiana$87,500
Iowa$94,500
Kansas$81,500
Kentucky$78,000
Maryland$119,000
Massachusetts$124,000
Michigan$83,000
Minnesota$98,500
Mississippi$70,000
Missouri$97,500
Montana$108,000
Nebraska$90,500
Nevada$88,000
New Hampshire$85,500
New Jersey$99,500
New York$96,500
North Carolina$99,000
Ohio$82,000
Oregon$101,000
Pennsylvania$89,500
South Carolina$74,500
South Dakota$78,500
Tennessee$90,500
Texas$75,000
Utah$82,500
Virginia$98,000
Washington$87,000
West Virginia$73,000
Wisconsin$76,000
About this role
Microbiologist is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Microbiologists do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Top skills: Science Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking Speaking Active Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Microbiologist pay by experience level
Entry level$56,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$69,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$91,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$126,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$155,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Microbiologist salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
6,790 workers
$96,000Scientific Research and Development Services
4,210 workers
$111,000Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
3,760 workers
$115,500Chemical Manufacturing
3,200 workers
$96,000Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
2,760 workers
$97,500Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
2,300 workers
$70,000Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
1,830 workers
$146,000Educational Services
1,570 workers
$82,000Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
1,570 workers
$82,000State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,200 workers
$79,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Microbiologist pays 0% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Epidemiologist$101,500
School Psychologist$102,500
Urban and Regional Planners$98,000
Chemist$104,000
Geographer$106,000
Hydrologist$107,000
Atmospheric and Space Scientists$110,000
Careers related to Microbiologist
Biochemists and Biophysicists$134,500
Biological Technician$63,500
Biologist$110,000
Chemist$104,000
Physicians, Pathologists$295,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Microbiologist make?
The average base salary for a Microbiologist in the United States is $101,000 per year, or about $48.56 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $69,500 and $126,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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