Microbiologist salary in California
Microbiologists in California earn a median of $108,530 a year ($52.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,420 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $87,990. California ranks 2nd of 42 states for microbiologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.14 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| 25th percentile | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Median | $108,530 | $52.18 |
| 75th percentile | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $183,420 | $88.18 |
| Average (mean) | $114,790 | $55.19 |
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 | $9,044.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,522.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,174.23 |
| Weekly | $2,087.12 |
| Hourly | $52.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,070 | 700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,910 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,590 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $108,900 | 270 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,590 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,420 | 780 |
| Fresno, CA | $91,890 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,540 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,470 | 80 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 | $67.11 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,810 | $38.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 | $44.20 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $102,830 | $49.44 |
| Forester | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for microbiologists in California is $108,530 a year, or $52.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in California?
The top 10% of microbiologists in California earn at least $183,420 a year. The top 25% earn $141,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,440 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $80,060 or less.
How many microbiologists work in California?
About 2,600 microbiologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.