Microbiologist salary in Columbus, OH
Microbiologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $78,030 a year ($37.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,270 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 8% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $72,500. There are 0.15 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,560 | $23.35 |
| 25th percentile | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| Median | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| 75th percentile | $105,270 | $50.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,270 | $65.03 |
| Average (mean) | $87,060 | $41.86 |
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 | $6,502.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,251.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,001.15 |
| Weekly | $1,500.58 |
| Hourly | $37.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $73,600 | 70 |
| 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $80,980 | $38.94 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Forester | $71,340 | $34.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $78,030 a year, or $37.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $135,270 a year. The top 25% earn $105,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,560 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $54,540 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Columbus, OH?
About 170 microbiologists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.