Microbiologist salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Microbiologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $100,420 a year ($48.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,550 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 7% lower than the California statewide median of $108,530. There are 0.12 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| 25th percentile | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Median | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| 75th percentile | $127,150 | $61.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,550 | $69.50 |
| Average (mean) | $101,560 | $48.83 |
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 | $8,368.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,184.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,862.31 |
| Weekly | $1,931.15 |
| Hourly | $48.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,070 | 700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,910 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,590 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $108,900 | 270 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,590 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $91,890 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,540 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,470 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,380 | $46.34 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,700 | $63.32 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $105,400 | $50.68 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $104,740 | $50.36 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $82,490 | $39.66 |
| Forester | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| Chemist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| School Psychologist | $122,390 | $58.84 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $100,420 a year, or $48.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $144,550 a year. The top 25% earn $127,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,110 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $77,920 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 780 microbiologists are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.