Microbiologist salary in South Carolina
Microbiologists in South Carolina earn a median of $64,740 a year ($31.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,460 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $87,990. South Carolina ranks 39th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.04 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $72,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| 25th percentile | $62,310 | $29.96 |
| Median | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| 75th percentile | $77,780 | $37.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,460 | $47.34 |
| Average (mean) | $72,030 | $34.63 |
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 | $5,395 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,697.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,490 |
| Weekly | $1,245 |
| Hourly | $31.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $85,470 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Forester | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,660 | $52.24 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $169,440 | $81.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for microbiologists in South Carolina is $64,740 a year, or $31.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of microbiologists in South Carolina earn at least $98,460 a year. The top 25% earn $77,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,820 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $62,310 or less.
How many microbiologists work in South Carolina?
About 100 microbiologists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.