Microbiologist salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Microbiologists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $86,120 a year ($41.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 10% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $96,020. There are 0.29 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| 25th percentile | $68,040 | $32.71 |
| Median | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| 75th percentile | $113,800 | $54.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Average (mean) | $90,700 | $43.61 |
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 | $7,176.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,588.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,312.31 |
| Weekly | $1,656.15 |
| Hourly | $41.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,710 | 1,330 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $55,090 | 40 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $133,870 | $64.36 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $124,300 | $59.76 |
| Epidemiologist | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| Conservation Scientist | $86,770 | $41.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Chemist | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Biological Technician | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,670 | $26.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $58,480 | $28.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $128,850 | $61.95 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,840 | $56.65 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $92,150 | $44.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $86,120 a year, or $41.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $129,420 a year. The top 25% earn $113,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,660 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $68,040 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 70 microbiologists are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.