Microbiologist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Microbiologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $77,690 a year ($37.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,250 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the Washington statewide median of $77,690. There are 0.11 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| 25th percentile | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Median | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| 75th percentile | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,250 | $63.58 |
| Average (mean) | $88,310 | $42.46 |
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 | $6,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,237.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,988.08 |
| Weekly | $1,494.04 |
| Hourly | $37.35 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $90,460 | 140 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Forester | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $77,690 a year, or $37.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $132,250 a year. The top 25% earn $102,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,900 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $66,310 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 220 microbiologists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.