BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Microbiologists in Washington

$84,170 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$40.47 per hour

▼ 13.8% below U.S. average24th of 42 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$84,170per year
Median$77,690per year
Hourly$40.47per hour
10th – 90th percentile$53,490 – $129,480per year

Microbiologists Pay Range in Washington

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,490
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$63,770
  • 50th Percentile — Median$77,690
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$96,650
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$129,480

Half of Microbiologists in Washington earn more than $77,690. The top 10% make $129,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,490.

Microbiologists in Washington: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Washington ranks 24th of 42 states for Microbiologists pay, at $84,170 per year (13.8% below the U.S. average of $97,600).
  • 340 people work as Microbiologists in Washington — 1.8% of all U.S. Microbiologists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.79: Microbiologists jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,490; the top 10% earn over $129,480.
  • Hourly equivalent: $40.47 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $119,700.
  • Among science jobs in Washington, Physicists pays the most ($149,060).

Microbiologists Job Market in Washington

Key factors affecting compensation

Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Microbiologists here earn $84,170 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $84,170 is roughly equivalent to $67,336 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($87,520), Pennsylvania ($86,370), Nevada ($85,220) are the closest alternatives for Microbiologists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Microbiologists salary in Washington?

The average Microbiologists salary in Washington is $84,170 per year (median $77,690), which is 13.8% below the national average of $97,600.

How does Washington rank for Microbiologists pay?

Washington ranks 24th out of 42 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($119,700/yr).

How much do entry-level Microbiologists make in Washington?

The lowest-paid 10% of Microbiologists in Washington earn about $53,490 per year and the 25th percentile is $63,770.

How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Washington?

About $40.47 per hour, based on the $84,170 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Microbiologists work in Washington?

BLS counts 340 Microbiologists jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).

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