Microbiologist salary in Madison, WI
Microbiologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $67,940 a year ($32.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,040 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 1% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $67,100. There are 0.66 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,390 | $25.67 |
| 25th percentile | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Median | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| 75th percentile | $91,610 | $44.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,040 | $52.42 |
| Average (mean) | $78,970 | $37.97 |
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 | $5,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,830.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,613.08 |
| Weekly | $1,306.54 |
| Hourly | $32.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $85,340 | 260 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,160 | 70 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Animal Scientist | $84,310 | $40.54 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Forester | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Epidemiologist | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Madison, WI metro area is $67,940 a year, or $32.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $109,040 a year. The top 25% earn $91,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,390 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $59,950 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Madison, WI?
About 270 microbiologists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.