Microbiologist salary in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
Microbiologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn a median of $123,590 a year ($59.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,310 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 14% higher than the California statewide median of $108,530. There are 0.16 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $126,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| 25th percentile | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Median | $123,590 | $59.42 |
| 75th percentile | $184,310 | $88.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,310 | $88.61 |
| Average (mean) | $126,450 | $60.79 |
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 | $10,299.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,149.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,753.46 |
| Weekly | $2,376.73 |
| Hourly | $59.42 |
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 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $108,900 | 270 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,590 | 70 |
| 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $145,340 | $69.87 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,900 | $38.90 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,330 | $53.04 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,620 | $56.07 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $109,710 | $52.75 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| Food Science Technician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| Chemist | $92,240 | $44.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area is $123,590 a year, or $59.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn at least $184,310 a year. The top 25% earn $184,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,830 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $77,830 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
About 30 microbiologists are employed in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.