Microbiologists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $99,480 +13.9% vs national
Median hourly $47.83
10th percentile $57,130
90th percentile $151,600
Employed locally 320
National median $87,330

Compare Microbiologists salary & buying power

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

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Microbiologists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,130
    25th
    $77,520
    50th (median)
    $99,480
    75th
    $121,960
    90th
    $151,600

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 97% Median Microbiologists salary is 3% below 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in San Diego, CA is $47.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.73 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in San Diego, CA is 13.9% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $57,130 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,520.