Microbiologist salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Microbiologists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $66,500 a year ($31.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,320 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $66,500. There are 0.19 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,650 | $26.76 |
| 25th percentile | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Median | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| 75th percentile | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,320 | $60.73 |
| Average (mean) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,610 | $32.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $87,870 | $42.24 |
| Chemist | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| School Psychologist | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $67,700 | $32.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $66,500 a year, or $31.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $126,320 a year. The top 25% earn $85,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,650 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $63,400 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 50 microbiologists are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.