California Median
$108,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $87,990
State Rank
#2 of 42
2,600 employed here
How much does a Microbiologist make in California?
Microbiologists in California take home a median of $108,530 annually — roughly $52.18 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $87,990.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $62,440 while the top 10% make $183,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,060 and $141,360 a year.
Microbiologist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,440 | $30.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,060 | $38.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $108,530 | $52.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $141,360 | $67.96 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $183,420 | $88.18 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 42 states and territories for Microbiologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Microbiologist salary in other states
Massachusetts $122,350Maryland $108,470Georgia $103,070New Jersey $96,020Illinois $92,050Oregon $89,220Montana $87,750Connecticut $86,360North Carolina $85,860Pennsylvania $84,650Minnesota $83,400Delaware $82,770Colorado $81,640New York $81,090Florida $80,930Iowa $79,830New Hampshire $79,430Michigan $78,680Missouri $78,590Indiana $77,900Virginia $77,820Washington $77,690Tennessee $77,630Alaska $76,320Utah $72,600Ohio $72,500Nebraska $72,470Hawaii $70,970South Dakota $70,530Kansas $70,500Arizona $69,880West Virginia $68,550Wisconsin $67,100Kentucky $66,500Texas $66,450Idaho $65,940Alabama $65,690South Carolina $64,740Nevada $64,490Mississippi $61,690Arkansas $59,750
Working as a Microbiologist in California
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Microbiologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($108,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Microbiologist make in California?
The median Microbiologist salary in California is $108,530 per year, or about $52.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,440 at the entry level to $183,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Microbiologists about 23% more than the national median of $87,990. California ranks 2nd out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Microbiologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $108,530 a year. About 2,600 Microbiologists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Microbiologist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.