Microbiologist salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Microbiologists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $66,450 a year ($31.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,690 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is about the same as the Texas statewide median of $66,450. There are 0.10 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $70,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Median | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| 75th percentile | $82,650 | $39.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,690 | $47.93 |
| Average (mean) | $70,730 | $34.01 |
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 | $5,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,768.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,555.77 |
| Weekly | $1,277.88 |
| Hourly | $31.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $80,870 | 90 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $78,120 | 160 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $61,310 | 140 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $86,440 | $41.56 |
| Conservation Scientist | $60,520 | $29.10 |
| Epidemiologist | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $94,320 | $45.35 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $88,210 | $42.41 |
| Forester | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $65,050 | $31.28 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| Chemist | $106,740 | $51.32 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $174,490 | $83.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $66,450 a year, or $31.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $99,690 a year. The top 25% earn $82,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $57,390 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 320 microbiologists are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.