Microbiologist salary in Alabama
Microbiologists in Alabama earn a median of $65,690 a year ($31.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,660 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $87,990. Alabama ranks 38th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.05 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $69,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| 25th percentile | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Median | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| 75th percentile | $76,160 | $36.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,660 | $46.47 |
| Average (mean) | $69,120 | $33.23 |
Half of microbiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,737.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,526.54 |
| Weekly | $1,263.27 |
| Hourly | $31.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for microbiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $87,260 | $41.95 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| Forester | $79,530 | $38.24 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Epidemiologist | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $97,480 | $46.87 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $110,560 | $53.15 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,490 | $34.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make in Alabama?
The median salary for microbiologists in Alabama is $65,690 a year, or $31.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Alabama earn at least $96,660 a year. The top 25% earn $76,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,350 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $49,000 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Alabama?
About 110 microbiologists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.