Microbiologist salary in Ohio
Microbiologists in Ohio earn a median of $72,500 a year ($34.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,590 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $87,990. Ohio ranks 27th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.10 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $79,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 25th percentile | $51,220 | $24.62 |
| Median | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| 75th percentile | $97,010 | $46.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| Average (mean) | $79,300 | $38.12 |
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 | $6,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,020.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,788.46 |
| Weekly | $1,394.23 |
| Hourly | $34.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $78,030 | 170 |
| Cleveland, OH | $73,600 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $65,910 | 170 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $62,090 | 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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,160 | $30.37 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $56,820 | $27.32 |
| Epidemiologist | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,780 | $36.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $74,550 | $35.84 |
| Forester | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $62,950 | $30.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,460 | $43.97 |
| Chemist | $85,270 | $41.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,540 | $37.76 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for microbiologists in Ohio is $72,500 a year, or $34.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Ohio?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Ohio earn at least $129,590 a year. The top 25% earn $97,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,420 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $51,220 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Ohio?
About 530 microbiologists are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.