Microbiologist salary in Kentucky
Microbiologists in Kentucky earn a median of $66,500 a year ($31.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,070 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $87,990. Kentucky ranks 35th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.04 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $75,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,100 | $26.49 |
| 25th percentile | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Median | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| 75th percentile | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,070 | $59.17 |
| Average (mean) | $75,570 | $36.33 |
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 | $5,541.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,770.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,557.69 |
| Weekly | $1,278.85 |
| Hourly | $31.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $66,500 | 50 |
| 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Conservation Scientist | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Forester | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for microbiologists in Kentucky is $66,500 a year, or $31.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Kentucky earn at least $123,070 a year. The top 25% earn $85,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,100 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $63,400 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Kentucky?
About 80 microbiologists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.