Microbiologist salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Microbiologists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $85,120 a year ($40.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,680 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 22% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $108,470. There are 0.22 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| 25th percentile | $69,250 | $33.29 |
| Median | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| 75th percentile | $109,060 | $52.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Average (mean) | $93,470 | $44.94 |
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 | $7,093.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,546.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,273.85 |
| Weekly | $1,636.92 |
| Hourly | $40.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,800 | 1,370 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
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 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $88,980 | $42.78 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Epidemiologist | $94,690 | $45.52 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,900 | $50.91 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,330 | $44.87 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $99,490 | $47.83 |
| Animal Scientist | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Forester | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,440 | $40.11 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $124,590 | $59.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $85,120 a year, or $40.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $144,680 a year. The top 25% earn $109,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,720 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $69,250 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 290 microbiologists are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.