Microbiologist salary in New York
Microbiologists in New York earn a median of $81,090 a year ($38.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,960 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $87,990. New York ranks 15th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.11 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| 25th percentile | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Median | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| 75th percentile | $106,490 | $51.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,960 | $64.89 |
| Average (mean) | $93,220 | $44.82 |
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 | $6,757.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,378.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,118.85 |
| Weekly | $1,559.42 |
| Hourly | $38.99 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,710 | 1,330 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $79,910 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $68,850 | 60 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,760 | $42.19 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $101,080 | $48.60 |
| Epidemiologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,070 | $45.23 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Forester | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $86,790 | $41.73 |
| School Psychologist | $106,550 | $51.22 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,720 | $46.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for microbiologists in New York is $81,090 a year, or $38.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in New York?
The top 10% of microbiologists in New York earn at least $134,960 a year. The top 25% earn $106,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,020 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $77,380 or less.
How many microbiologists work in New York?
About 1,050 microbiologists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.