Microbiologist salary in Washington
Microbiologists in Washington earn a median of $77,690 a year ($37.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,480 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $87,990. Washington ranks 23rd of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.10 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $84,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,490 | $25.72 |
| 25th percentile | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Median | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| 75th percentile | $96,650 | $46.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Average (mean) | $84,170 | $40.47 |
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 | $6,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,237.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,988.08 |
| Weekly | $1,494.04 |
| Hourly | $37.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $90,460 | 140 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $77,690 | 220 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Forester | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Animal Scientist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for microbiologists in Washington is $77,690 a year, or $37.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Washington?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Washington earn at least $129,480 a year. The top 25% earn $96,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,490 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $63,770 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Washington?
About 340 microbiologists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.