Microbiologist salary in West Virginia
Microbiologists in West Virginia earn a median of $68,550 a year ($32.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,680 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $87,990. West Virginia ranks 33rd of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.05 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $70,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| 25th percentile | $51,930 | $24.97 |
| Median | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| 75th percentile | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,680 | $39.75 |
| Average (mean) | $70,360 | $33.83 |
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 | $5,712.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,856.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,636.54 |
| Weekly | $1,318.27 |
| Hourly | $32.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,800 | 1,370 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| Epidemiologist | $70,540 | $33.91 |
| Forester | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,560 | $41.62 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| School Psychologist | $75,220 | $36.16 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,750 | $28.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for microbiologists in West Virginia is $68,550 a year, or $32.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of microbiologists in West Virginia earn at least $82,680 a year. The top 25% earn $76,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,740 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $51,930 or less.
How many microbiologists work in West Virginia?
About 40 microbiologists are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.