Microbiologists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $129,830 +48.7% vs national
Median hourly $62.42
10th percentile $77,660
90th percentile $179,770
Employed locally 130
National median $87,330

Compare Microbiologists salary & buying power

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Microbiologists
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,660
    25th
    $103,980
    50th (median)
    $129,830
    75th
    $152,400
    90th
    $179,770

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 82% Median Microbiologists salary is 18% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Microbiologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Vallejo, CA $115,980

    Nearby metros — Microbiologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    California $107,380

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $155,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $132,230
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,630
    Biological Technicians $71,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,520
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $75,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in San Jose, CA is $62.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $91.24 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in San Jose, CA is 48.7% 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $77,660 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,980.