Microbiologists · Washington

Microbiologists Salary in Washington

Microbiologists in Washington earn a median annual wage of $77,690 —11.7% below the national median of $87,990. That ranks WA #23 of 42 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$77,690
Median hourly
$37.35
Entry level (P10)
$53,490
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$129,480
90th percentile
Employment
340
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-11.7%
U.S. $87,990

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$53,490
$63,770
$77,690
$96,650
$53,490$77,690$129,480
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $77,690.

Employment is only 0.79× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.

Highest-paying states for microbiologists

All 42 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Massachusetts$122,350$58.821,9604.42
2California$108,530$52.182,6001.17
3Maryland$108,470$52.151,5904.72
4Georgia$103,070$49.558801.48
5New Jersey$96,020$46.167901.51
6Illinois$92,050$44.261,4701.98
7Oregon$89,220$42.901700.72
8Montana$87,750$42.19801.35
9Connecticut$86,360$41.521800.88
10North Carolina$85,860$41.281,0501.75

Related occupations in Washington

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.

Frequently asked questions

How much do microbiologists make in Washington?

The median annual wage for microbiologists in Washington is $77,690, or $37.35 per hour. That is 11.7% below the national median of $87,990.

What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Washington?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $53,490 per year ($25.72/hour). The 25th percentile is $63,770.

How many people work as microbiologists in Washington?

About 340 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Washington a good state for microbiologists?

Washington ranks #23 of 42 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.79x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.

Which state pays microbiologists the most?

Massachusetts has the highest median wage at $122,350 per year, followed by California ($108,530) and Maryland ($108,470).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes