Microbiologist salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Microbiologists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $85,470 a year ($41.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,260 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $85,860. There are 0.06 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $92,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,990 | $24.52 |
| 25th percentile | $64,540 | $31.03 |
| Median | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| 75th percentile | $110,700 | $53.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,260 | $61.18 |
| Average (mean) | $92,820 | $44.62 |
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 | $7,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,561.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,287.31 |
| Weekly | $1,643.65 |
| Hourly | $41.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $85,860 | 400 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $85,010 | 330 |
| Wilmington, NC | $80,470 | n/a |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $97,440 | $46.84 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $101,740 | $48.91 |
| Conservation Scientist | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,820 | $47.51 |
| Epidemiologist | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $87,270 | $41.96 |
| Forester | $78,800 | $37.89 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Chemist | $88,890 | $42.74 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,730 | $29.68 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $85,470 a year, or $41.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $127,260 a year. The top 25% earn $110,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,990 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $64,540 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 80 microbiologists are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.