Microbiologist salary in Montana
Microbiologists in Montana earn a median of $87,750 a year ($42.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,600 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $87,990. Montana ranks 8th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.16 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| 25th percentile | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Median | $87,750 | $42.19 |
| 75th percentile | $133,470 | $64.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,600 | $82.50 |
| Average (mean) | $104,520 | $50.25 |
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 | $7,312.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,656.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,375 |
| Weekly | $1,687.50 |
| Hourly | $42.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $65,120 | 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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
| Forester | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,770 | $38.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for microbiologists in Montana is $87,750 a year, or $42.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Montana?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Montana earn at least $171,600 a year. The top 25% earn $133,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,940 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $62,940 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Montana?
About 80 microbiologists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.