Microbiologist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Microbiologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $85,860 a year ($41.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,620 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $85,860. There are 1.2 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| 25th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| Median | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| 75th percentile | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,620 | $66.65 |
| Average (mean) | $101,980 | $49.03 |
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 | $7,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,302.31 |
| Weekly | $1,651.15 |
| Hourly | $41.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $85,470 | 80 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $85,010 | 330 |
| Wilmington, NC | $80,470 | n/a |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,650 | $42.14 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $85,860 a year, or $41.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $138,620 a year. The top 25% earn $111,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,830 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $80,830 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 400 microbiologists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.