Microbiologist salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Microbiologists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $66,560 a year ($32.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,960 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 28% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $92,050. There are 0.53 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,500 | $26.68 |
| 25th percentile | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Median | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 75th percentile | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| Average (mean) | $69,280 | $33.31 |
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 | $5,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,773.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,560 |
| Weekly | $1,280 |
| Hourly | $32.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,620 | 1,240 |
| Peoria, IL | $93,240 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $89,630 | 120 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,470 | $30.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Biological Technician | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Chemist | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| Agricultural Technician | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| School Psychologist | $76,460 | $36.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,110 | $49.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $66,560 a year, or $32.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $86,960 a year. The top 25% earn $86,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,500 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $56,860 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 60 microbiologists are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.