Microbiologist salary in Arkansas
Microbiologists in Arkansas earn a median of $59,750 a year ($28.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,270 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $87,990. Arkansas ranks 42nd of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.11 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| 25th percentile | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Median | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| 75th percentile | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,270 | $69.84 |
| Average (mean) | $82,120 | $39.48 |
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 | $4,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,489.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,298.08 |
| Weekly | $1,149.04 |
| Hourly | $28.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $114,840 | 70 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $51,520 | 70 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $72,530 | $34.87 |
| Forester | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Chemical Technician | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| School Psychologist | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Biological Technician | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Chemist | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,310 | $28.52 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for microbiologists in Arkansas is $59,750 a year, or $28.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Arkansas earn at least $145,270 a year. The top 25% earn $106,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,580 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $49,300 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Arkansas?
About 140 microbiologists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.