Microbiologists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $105,630 +21% vs national
Median hourly $50.78
10th percentile $63,130
90th percentile $191,280
Employed locally 1,600
National median $87,330

Compare Microbiologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Microbiologists
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,130
    25th
    $78,540
    50th (median)
    $105,630
    75th
    $148,910
    90th
    $191,280

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 85% Median Microbiologists salary is 15% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Political Scientists $153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $50.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.84 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 21% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $63,130 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,540.