Kentucky Median
$66,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $87,990
State Rank
#35 of 42
80 employed here
How much does a Microbiologist make in Kentucky?
Microbiologists in Kentucky take home a median of $66,500 annually — roughly $31.97 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $87,990.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $55,100 while the top 10% make $123,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,400 and $85,740 a year.
Microbiologist salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,100 | $26.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $63,400 | $30.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,500 | $31.97 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $85,740 | $41.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,070 | $59.17 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 35th out of 42 states and territories for Microbiologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Microbiologist salary in other states
Massachusetts $122,350California $108,530Maryland $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 $67,100Texas $66,450Idaho $65,940Alabama $65,690South Carolina $64,740Nevada $64,490Mississippi $61,690Arkansas $59,750
Working as a Microbiologist in Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($66,500) 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 Kentucky?
The median Microbiologist salary in Kentucky is $66,500 per year, or about $31.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,100 at the entry level to $123,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Microbiologists about 24% less than the national median of $87,990. Kentucky ranks 35th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Microbiologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,500 a year. About 80 Microbiologists are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.