Microbiologist salary in Modesto, CA
Microbiologists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $59,470 a year ($28.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,470 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 45% lower than the California statewide median of $108,530. There are 0.43 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,240 | $24.64 |
| 25th percentile | $51,240 | $24.64 |
| Median | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| 75th percentile | $179,490 | $86.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $183,470 | $88.21 |
| Average (mean) | $102,370 | $49.22 |
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 | $4,955.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,477.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,287.31 |
| Weekly | $1,143.65 |
| Hourly | $28.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,070 | 700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,910 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,590 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $108,900 | 270 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,590 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,420 | 780 |
| Fresno, CA | $91,890 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,540 | 30 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $143,760 | $69.11 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| Food Science Technician | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,250 | $27.05 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| School Psychologist | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| Chemist | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $123,030 | $59.15 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,840 | $49.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Modesto, CA metro area is $59,470 a year, or $28.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $183,470 a year. The top 25% earn $179,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,240 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $51,240 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Modesto, CA?
About 80 microbiologists are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.