Microbiologists Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $100,820 +15.4% vs national
Median hourly $48.47
10th percentile $77,870
90th percentile $130,640
Employed locally 680
National median $87,330

Compare Microbiologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Microbiologists
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,870
    25th
    $94,350
    50th (median)
    $100,820
    75th
    $121,330
    90th
    $130,640

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 108% Median Microbiologists salary is 8% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,830
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,140
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,580
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $123,590
    Vallejo, CA $115,980
    Modesto, CA $113,870

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,470
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,720
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $100,330
    School Psychologists $108,130
    Chemists $82,370
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $101,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in Los Angeles, CA is $48.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $69.50 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in Los Angeles, CA is 15.4% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $77,870 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $94,350.