Microbiologist salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Microbiologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $85,010 a year ($40.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,520 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $85,860. There are 0.45 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,070 | $26.00 |
| 25th percentile | $65,010 | $31.26 |
| Median | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| 75th percentile | $110,330 | $53.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,520 | $66.12 |
| Average (mean) | $94,150 | $45.27 |
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 | $7,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,269.62 |
| Weekly | $1,634.81 |
| Hourly | $40.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $85,860 | 400 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $85,470 | 80 |
| 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 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Forester | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $85,010 a year, or $40.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $137,520 a year. The top 25% earn $110,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,070 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $65,010 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 330 microbiologists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.