Microbiologist salary in Fresno, CA
Microbiologists in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median of $91,890 a year ($44.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,010 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 15% lower than the California statewide median of $108,530. There are 0.07 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $101,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Fresno, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,520 | $25.73 |
| 25th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| Median | $91,890 | $44.18 |
| 75th percentile | $138,360 | $66.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,010 | $87.51 |
| Average (mean) | $101,640 | $48.87 |
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 | $7,657.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,828.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,534.23 |
| Weekly | $1,767.12 |
| Hourly | $44.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,070 | 700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,910 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,590 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $108,900 | 270 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,590 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,420 | 780 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,540 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,470 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $137,080 | $65.91 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $81,720 | $39.29 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Epidemiologist | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Forester | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $77,840 | $37.43 |
| School Psychologist | $123,920 | $59.58 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,040 | $46.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,090 | $42.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $129,120 | $62.08 |
| Food Science Technician | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,330 | $50.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Fresno, CA
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 Fresno, CA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Fresno, CA metro area is $91,890 a year, or $44.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Fresno, CA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Fresno, CA metro area earn at least $182,010 a year. The top 25% earn $138,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Fresno, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,520 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $60,180 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Fresno, CA?
About 30 microbiologists are employed in the Fresno, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.