Microbiologist salary in Maryland
Microbiologists in Maryland earn a median of $108,470 a year ($52.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,520 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $87,990. Maryland ranks 3rd of 42 states for microbiologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.57 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 25th percentile | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Median | $108,470 | $52.15 |
| 75th percentile | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $185,520 | $89.19 |
| Average (mean) | $114,990 | $55.29 |
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 | $9,039.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,519.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,171.92 |
| Weekly | $2,085.96 |
| Hourly | $52.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,800 | 1,370 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $85,120 | 290 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $100,650 | $48.39 |
| Epidemiologist | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Conservation Scientist | $83,290 | $40.04 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,330 | $44.87 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $85,020 | $40.87 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| Forester | $86,100 | $41.40 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for microbiologists in Maryland is $108,470 a year, or $52.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Maryland earn at least $185,520 a year. The top 25% earn $140,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,260 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $77,810 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Maryland?
About 1,590 microbiologists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.