Microbiologist salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Microbiologists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $61,710 a year ($29.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,060 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 27% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $84,650. There are 0.16 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| 25th percentile | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Median | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| 75th percentile | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| Average (mean) | $67,380 | $32.40 |
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 | $5,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,571.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,373.46 |
| Weekly | $1,186.73 |
| Hourly | $29.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,940 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $55,090 | 40 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $73,670 | $35.42 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $92,690 | $44.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Economist | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| Chemist | $73,670 | $35.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Biological Technician | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| School Psychologist | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,220 | $26.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $61,710 a year, or $29.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $91,060 a year. The top 25% earn $82,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,060 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $55,220 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 50 microbiologists are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.