Microbiologist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Microbiologists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $59,940 a year ($28.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,220 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 29% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $84,650. There are 0.11 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,750 | $20.07 |
| 25th percentile | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Median | $59,940 | $28.82 |
| 75th percentile | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,220 | $53.47 |
| Average (mean) | $68,340 | $32.86 |
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 | $4,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,497.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,305.38 |
| Weekly | $1,152.69 |
| Hourly | $28.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $61,710 | 50 |
| 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 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $125,020 | $60.11 |
| Conservation Scientist | $58,960 | $28.34 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Epidemiologist | $91,800 | $44.14 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $59,940 a year, or $28.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $111,220 a year. The top 25% earn $90,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,750 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $50,610 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 120 microbiologists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.