Microbiologist salary in Tennessee
Microbiologists in Tennessee earn a median of $77,630 a year ($37.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,220 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $87,990. Tennessee ranks 24th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.06 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $87,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| 25th percentile | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Median | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| 75th percentile | $99,350 | $47.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,220 | $68.86 |
| Average (mean) | $87,520 | $42.08 |
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 | $6,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,234.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,985.77 |
| Weekly | $1,492.88 |
| Hourly | $37.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $114,840 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $77,620 | 100 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $108,770 | $52.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for microbiologists in Tennessee is $77,630 a year, or $37.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Tennessee earn at least $143,220 a year. The top 25% earn $99,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,880 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $64,940 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Tennessee?
About 210 microbiologists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.