Microbiologists Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $90,790 +4% vs national
Median hourly $43.65
10th percentile $61,770
90th percentile $132,670
Employed locally 500
National median $87,330

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Microbiologists
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,770
    25th
    $81,130
    50th (median)
    $90,790
    75th
    $122,210
    90th
    $132,670

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 112% Median Microbiologists salary is 12% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,140
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $96,290
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $82,120
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $80,370
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $77,940
    Wilmington, NC $75,920

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Chemists$78,240
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$104,300
    Biological Scientists, All Other$96,780
    Biological Technicians$41,060
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$84,570
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$79,180

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in Durham, NC is $43.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.65 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in Durham, NC is 4% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $61,770 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,130.