Microbiologist salary in Oregon
Microbiologists in Oregon earn a median of $89,220 a year ($42.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,130 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $87,990. Oregon ranks 7th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.09 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $97,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,600 | $31.54 |
| 25th percentile | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Median | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| 75th percentile | $102,970 | $49.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Average (mean) | $97,510 | $46.88 |
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 | $7,435 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,717.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,431.54 |
| Weekly | $1,715.77 |
| Hourly | $42.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $90,460 | 140 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Forester | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $81,660 | $39.26 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $113,450 | $54.55 |
| Epidemiologist | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,440 | $46.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for microbiologists in Oregon is $89,220 a year, or $42.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Oregon?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Oregon earn at least $141,130 a year. The top 25% earn $102,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,600 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $77,320 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Oregon?
About 170 microbiologists are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.