Microbiologists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $126,140 +44.4% vs national
Median hourly $60.65
10th percentile $84,700
90th percentile $176,470
Employed locally 870
National median $87,330

Compare Microbiologists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Microbiologists
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $84,700
    25th
    $102,650
    50th (median)
    $126,140
    75th
    $165,980
    90th
    $176,470

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 94% Median Microbiologists salary is 6% 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
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,580
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $123,590
    Vallejo, CA $115,980

    Nearby metros — Microbiologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,830
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,580
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $123,590
    Vallejo, CA $115,980
    Modesto, CA $113,870
    California $107,380

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,670
    Biological Technicians $79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $160,210
    Chemists $126,190
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $80,100

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in San Francisco, CA is $60.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $89.68 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in San Francisco, CA is 44.4% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $84,700 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,650.