Microbiologist salary in North Carolina
Microbiologists in North Carolina earn a median of $85,860 a year ($41.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,600 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $87,990. North Carolina ranks 10th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.21 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| 25th percentile | $66,630 | $32.04 |
| Median | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| 75th percentile | $111,200 | $53.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,600 | $66.64 |
| Average (mean) | $95,490 | $45.91 |
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 | $7,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,302.31 |
| Weekly | $1,651.15 |
| Hourly | $41.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $85,860 | 400 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $85,470 | 80 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $85,010 | 330 |
| Wilmington, NC | $80,470 | n/a |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Forester | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for microbiologists in North Carolina is $85,860 a year, or $41.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of microbiologists in North Carolina earn at least $138,600 a year. The top 25% earn $111,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,710 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $66,630 or less.
How many microbiologists work in North Carolina?
About 1,050 microbiologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.