Microbiologist salary in South Dakota
Microbiologists in South Dakota earn a median of $70,530 a year ($33.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,200 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $87,990. South Dakota ranks 30th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.18 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| 25th percentile | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| Median | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| 75th percentile | $81,420 | $39.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,200 | $51.54 |
| Average (mean) | $75,990 | $36.53 |
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 | $5,877.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,938.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,712.69 |
| Weekly | $1,356.35 |
| Hourly | $33.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| Forester | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for microbiologists in South Dakota is $70,530 a year, or $33.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of microbiologists in South Dakota earn at least $107,200 a year. The top 25% earn $81,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,820 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $52,040 or less.
How many microbiologists work in South Dakota?
About 80 microbiologists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.