Microbiologist salary in Arizona
Microbiologists in Arizona earn a median of $69,880 a year ($33.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,310 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $87,990. Arizona ranks 32nd of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.02 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.20). The average (mean) salary is $72,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,530 | $25.25 |
| 25th percentile | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Median | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| 75th percentile | $85,690 | $41.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,310 | $44.86 |
| Average (mean) | $72,040 | $34.63 |
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 | $5,823.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,911.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,687.69 |
| Weekly | $1,343.85 |
| Hourly | $33.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $69,880 | 60 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $116,820 | $56.16 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $90,290 | $43.41 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $66,880 | $32.15 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Forester | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $90,450 | $43.49 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $122,580 | $58.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| School Psychologist | $92,380 | $44.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for microbiologists in Arizona is $69,880 a year, or $33.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Arizona earn at least $93,310 a year. The top 25% earn $85,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,530 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $57,680 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Arizona?
About 80 microbiologists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.