Microbiologist salary in Georgia
Microbiologists in Georgia earn a median of $103,070 a year ($49.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,020 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $87,990. Georgia ranks 4th of 42 states for microbiologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.18 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,510 | $31.97 |
| 25th percentile | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Median | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| 75th percentile | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,020 | $75.97 |
| Average (mean) | $108,930 | $52.37 |
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 | $8,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,964.23 |
| Weekly | $1,982.12 |
| Hourly | $49.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $112,440 | 80 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $109,320 | 630 |
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 |
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $92,450 | $44.45 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $86,050 | $41.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $70,880 | $34.08 |
| Forester | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $85,680 | $41.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $69,320 | $33.33 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,710 | $41.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for microbiologists in Georgia is $103,070 a year, or $49.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Georgia?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Georgia earn at least $158,020 a year. The top 25% earn $126,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,510 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $87,990 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Georgia?
About 880 microbiologists are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.