Microbiologist salary in Pennsylvania
Microbiologists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $84,650 a year ($40.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pennsylvania ranks 11th 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 $86,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| 25th percentile | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Median | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| 75th percentile | $105,110 | $50.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Average (mean) | $86,370 | $41.52 |
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 | $7,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,527.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,255.77 |
| Weekly | $1,627.88 |
| Hourly | $40.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $61,710 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,940 | 120 |
| 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Conservation Scientist | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| Epidemiologist | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Forester | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for microbiologists in Pennsylvania is $84,650 a year, or $40.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Pennsylvania earn at least $132,040 a year. The top 25% earn $105,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,300 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $59,280 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Pennsylvania?
About 670 microbiologists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.