Microbiologist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Microbiologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $95,980 a year ($46.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,130 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 18% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $81,640. There are 0.08 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $104,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| 25th percentile | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Median | $95,980 | $46.14 |
| 75th percentile | $129,230 | $62.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,130 | $77.47 |
| Average (mean) | $104,350 | $50.17 |
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 | $7,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,999.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,691.54 |
| Weekly | $1,845.77 |
| Hourly | $46.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,190 | $39.04 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Forester | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Chemist | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $95,980 a year, or $46.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $161,130 a year. The top 25% earn $129,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,030 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $80,250 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 130 microbiologists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.