Microbiologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,440
- 25th Percentile — Junior$80,060
- 50th Percentile — Median$108,530
- 75th Percentile — Senior$141,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$183,420
Half of Microbiologists in California earn more than $108,530. The top 10% make $183,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $62,440.
Microbiologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 42 states for Microbiologists pay, at $114,790 per year (17.6% above the U.S. average of $97,600).
- 2,600 people work as Microbiologists in California — 13.7% of all U.S. Microbiologists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.17: Microbiologists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,440; the top 10% earn over $183,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $55.19 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $119,700.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Microbiologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Microbiologists here earn $114,790 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $114,790 is roughly equivalent to $80,838 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($119,700), Maryland ($114,990), Georgia ($108,930) are the closest alternatives for Microbiologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +75.9% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +65.0% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +29.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +22.1% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +16.5% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +10.9% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +7.2% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +7.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Microbiologists salary in California?
The average Microbiologists salary in California is $114,790 per year (median $108,530), which is 17.6% above the national average of $97,600.
How does California rank for Microbiologists pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 42 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($119,700/yr).
How much do entry-level Microbiologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Microbiologists in California earn about $62,440 per year and the 25th percentile is $80,060.
How much do Microbiologists make per hour in California?
About $55.19 per hour, based on the $114,790 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Microbiologists work in California?
BLS counts 2,600 Microbiologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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