Microbiologist salary in New Jersey
Microbiologists in New Jersey earn a median of $96,020 a year ($46.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,700 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $87,990. New Jersey ranks 5th of 42 states for microbiologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.18 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,920, close to the median.
Pay range for microbiologists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| 25th percentile | $80,010 | $38.46 |
| Median | $96,020 | $46.16 |
| 75th percentile | $112,860 | $54.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,700 | $63.32 |
| Average (mean) | $95,920 | $46.12 |
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 | $8,001.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,000.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,693.08 |
| Weekly | $1,846.54 |
| Hourly | $46.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $86,120 | 70 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,710 | 1,330 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $55,090 | 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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,280 | $62.16 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $122,620 | $58.95 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $104,340 | $50.16 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,970 | $44.22 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Chemist | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $127,090 | $61.10 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for microbiologists in New Jersey is $96,020 a year, or $46.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of microbiologists in New Jersey earn at least $131,700 a year. The top 25% earn $112,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,840 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $80,010 or less.
How many microbiologists work in New Jersey?
About 790 microbiologists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.