Microbiologist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Microbiologists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $122,350 a year ($58.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,790 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the Massachusetts statewide median of $122,350. There are 0.67 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,080, close to the median.
Pay range for microbiologists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,990 | $36.53 |
| 25th percentile | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| Median | $122,350 | $58.82 |
| 75th percentile | $142,220 | $68.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,790 | $78.75 |
| Average (mean) | $121,080 | $58.21 |
Half of microbiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,195.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,097.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,705.77 |
| Weekly | $2,352.88 |
| Hourly | $58.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $122,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Microbiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $115,660 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for microbiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 |
| California | $108,530 |
| Maryland | $108,470 |
| Georgia | $103,070 |
| New Jersey | $96,020 |
| Illinois | $92,050 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Montana | $87,750 |
| Connecticut | $86,360 |
| North Carolina | $85,860 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,550 | $63.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,410 | $53.08 |
| Epidemiologist | $115,890 | $55.72 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $115,230 | $55.40 |
| Forester | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Biological Technician | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Chemist | $127,290 | $61.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,960 | $50.94 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $122,350 a year, or $58.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $163,790 a year. The top 25% earn $142,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,990 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $100,190 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 1,810 microbiologists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.