Microbiologist salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Microbiologists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $102,590 a year ($49.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,950 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $108,530. There are 0.04 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $101,600, close to the median.
Pay range for microbiologists in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 25th percentile | $80,130 | $38.53 |
| Median | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| 75th percentile | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,950 | $68.73 |
| Average (mean) | $101,600 | $48.85 |
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 | $8,549.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,274.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,945.77 |
| Weekly | $1,972.88 |
| Hourly | $49.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,070 | 700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,910 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,590 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $108,900 | 270 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,420 | 780 |
| Fresno, CA | $91,890 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,540 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,470 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,390 | $66.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,360 | $41.04 |
| Conservation Scientist | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $94,900 | $45.62 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $129,490 | $62.26 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,730 | $44.58 |
| School Psychologist | $139,400 | $67.02 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,310 | $24.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $102,590 a year, or $49.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $142,950 a year. The top 25% earn $117,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,000 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $80,130 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 70 microbiologists are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.