Microbiologist salary in Virginia
Microbiologists in Virginia earn a median of $77,820 a year ($37.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,470 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $87,990. Virginia ranks 22nd of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.07 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $94,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| 25th percentile | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| Median | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| 75th percentile | $129,250 | $62.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,470 | $77.63 |
| Average (mean) | $94,580 | $45.47 |
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 | $6,485 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,242.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,993.08 |
| Weekly | $1,496.54 |
| Hourly | $37.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,800 | 1,370 |
| Richmond, VA | $90,930 | 50 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $105,780 | $50.86 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,590 | $44.99 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for microbiologists in Virginia is $77,820 a year, or $37.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Virginia earn at least $161,470 a year. The top 25% earn $129,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,120 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $55,130 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Virginia?
About 280 microbiologists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.