Microbiologist salary in Indiana
Microbiologists in Indiana earn a median of $77,900 a year ($37.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,020 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $87,990. Indiana ranks 21st of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.05 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $84,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,460 | $26.66 |
| 25th percentile | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| Median | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| 75th percentile | $92,420 | $44.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,020 | $57.70 |
| Average (mean) | $84,570 | $40.66 |
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 | $6,491.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,245.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,996.15 |
| Weekly | $1,498.08 |
| Hourly | $37.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,620 | 1,240 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $77,770 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $65,910 | 170 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Epidemiologist | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Forester | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $54,670 | $26.28 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for microbiologists in Indiana is $77,900 a year, or $37.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Indiana earn at least $120,020 a year. The top 25% earn $92,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,460 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $60,710 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Indiana?
About 150 microbiologists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.