Microbiologist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Microbiologists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $77,620 a year ($37.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,130 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $77,630. There are 0.09 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $75,100, close to the median.
Pay range for microbiologists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| 25th percentile | $65,560 | $31.52 |
| Median | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| 75th percentile | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,130 | $43.81 |
| Average (mean) | $75,100 | $36.11 |
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 | $6,468.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,234.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,985.38 |
| Weekly | $1,492.69 |
| Hourly | $37.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $114,840 | 70 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Forester | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Chemist | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,550 | $24.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $77,620 a year, or $37.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $91,130 a year. The top 25% earn $77,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,880 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $65,560 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 100 microbiologists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.