Microbiologist salary in Cleveland, OH
Microbiologists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $73,600 a year ($35.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,910 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $72,500. There are 0.06 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $77,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| 25th percentile | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Median | $73,600 | $35.39 |
| 75th percentile | $92,460 | $44.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,910 | $47.07 |
| Average (mean) | $77,980 | $37.49 |
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 | $6,133.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,066.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,830.77 |
| Weekly | $1,415.38 |
| Hourly | $35.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $78,030 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $65,910 | 170 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $62,090 | 40 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,800 | $37.88 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,160 | $30.37 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,070 | $42.34 |
| Chemist | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Biological Technician | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| School Psychologist | $94,250 | $45.31 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Physicist | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $63,980 | $30.76 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $73,600 a year, or $35.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $97,910 a year. The top 25% earn $92,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,290 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $63,350 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Cleveland, OH?
About 70 microbiologists are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.