Microbiologists Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $108,040 +23.7% vs national
Median hourly $51.94
10th percentile $73,070
90th percentile $164,090
Employed locally 80
National median $87,330

Compare Microbiologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Microbiologists
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $73,070
    25th
    $77,960
    50th (median)
    $108,040
    75th
    $131,290
    90th
    $164,090

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 152% Median Microbiologists salary is 52% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Microbiologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,830
    Worcester, MA $127,120
    Massachusetts $126,260
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,140
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,580
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $123,590

    Nearby metros — Microbiologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $107,380
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $105,630
    Georgia $97,090
    Peoria, IL $93,240
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $91,420
    Virginia $88,080

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians$52,670
    Biological Scientists, All Other$79,170
    Soil and Plant Scientists$62,290
    Agricultural Technicians$46,630
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$134,160
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$79,410

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in Ames, IA is $51.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.89 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in Ames, IA is 23.7% above the national median of $87,330. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Microbiologists in Ames?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $73,070 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,960.