Microbiologist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Microbiologists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $65,160 a year ($31.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,990 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 3% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $67,100. There are 0.09 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $67,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| 25th percentile | $53,070 | $25.51 |
| Median | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| 75th percentile | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,990 | $42.78 |
| Average (mean) | $67,430 | $32.42 |
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 | $5,430 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,715 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,506.15 |
| Weekly | $1,253.08 |
| Hourly | $31.33 |
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 |
| Madison, WI | $67,940 | 270 |
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $66,200 | $31.83 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,680 | $32.06 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Forester | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Chemist | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,940 | $52.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,300 | $30.43 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $65,160 a year, or $31.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $88,990 a year. The top 25% earn $77,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,880 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $53,070 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 70 microbiologists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.