Microbiologist salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Microbiologists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $77,770 a year ($37.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,020 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the Indiana statewide median of $77,900. There are 0.09 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $81,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| 25th percentile | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Median | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| 75th percentile | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,020 | $57.70 |
| Average (mean) | $81,810 | $39.33 |
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 | $6,480.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,240.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,991.15 |
| Weekly | $1,495.58 |
| Hourly | $37.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,620 | 1,240 |
| 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 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Conservation Scientist | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Epidemiologist | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $69,970 | $33.64 |
| Forester | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,000 | $32.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $77,770 a year, or $37.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $120,020 a year. The top 25% earn $89,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,810 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $57,980 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 100 microbiologists are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.