Microbiologist salary in Colorado
Microbiologists in Colorado earn a median of $81,640 a year ($39.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,730 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $87,990. Colorado ranks 14th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.13 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| 25th percentile | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Median | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| 75th percentile | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| Average (mean) | $91,930 | $44.20 |
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 | $6,803.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,401.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,140 |
| Weekly | $1,570 |
| Hourly | $39.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $95,980 | 130 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| Forester | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for microbiologists in Colorado is $81,640 a year, or $39.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Colorado earn at least $152,730 a year. The top 25% earn $118,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,690 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $66,750 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Colorado?
About 370 microbiologists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.