Microbiologist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Microbiologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $89,630 a year ($43.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,350 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 14% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $78,590. There are 0.09 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $94,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| 25th percentile | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Median | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| 75th percentile | $122,000 | $58.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,350 | $79.01 |
| Average (mean) | $94,680 | $45.52 |
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 | $7,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,734.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,447.31 |
| Weekly | $1,723.65 |
| Hourly | $43.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,620 | 1,240 |
| Peoria, IL | $93,240 | 30 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $70,220 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $66,560 | 60 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Forester | $73,950 | $35.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for microbiologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $89,630 a year, or $43.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $164,350 a year. The top 25% earn $122,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,320 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $59,480 or less.
How many microbiologists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 120 microbiologists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.