Microbiologist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Microbiologists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $73,690 a year ($35.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,340 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 6% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $78,680. There are 0.04 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $78,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,220 | $24.62 |
| 25th percentile | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Median | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| 75th percentile | $82,940 | $39.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,340 | $47.76 |
| Average (mean) | $78,570 | $37.77 |
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 | $6,140.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,070.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,834.23 |
| Weekly | $1,417.12 |
| Hourly | $35.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $89,240 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $76,220 | 60 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $67,960 | 100 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| Conservation Scientist | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,370 | $40.08 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $104,160 | $50.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $73,690 a year, or $35.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $99,340 a year. The top 25% earn $82,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,220 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $57,920 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 70 microbiologists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.