Microbiologist salary in Missouri
Microbiologists in Missouri earn a median of $78,590 a year ($37.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,130 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $87,990. Missouri ranks 20th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.05 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $94,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| 25th percentile | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Median | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| 75th percentile | $125,430 | $60.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,130 | $78.43 |
| Average (mean) | $94,410 | $45.39 |
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 | $6,549.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,274.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,022.69 |
| Weekly | $1,511.35 |
| Hourly | $37.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $89,630 | 120 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $70,220 | 40 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Epidemiologist | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Forester | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for microbiologists in Missouri is $78,590 a year, or $37.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Missouri earn at least $163,130 a year. The top 25% earn $125,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,540 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $56,910 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Missouri?
About 140 microbiologists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.