Microbiologist salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Microbiologists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median of $101,990 a year ($49.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 20% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $84,650. There are 0.20 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,730, close to the median.
Pay range for microbiologists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| 25th percentile | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| Median | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| 75th percentile | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Average (mean) | $95,730 | $46.02 |
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 | $8,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,249.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,922.69 |
| Weekly | $1,961.35 |
| Hourly | $49.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,800 | 1,370 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $86,120 | 70 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $85,710 | 1,330 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $85,120 | 290 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $61,710 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,940 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $55,090 | 40 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $106,670 | $51.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $96,210 | $46.26 |
| Epidemiologist | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,880 | $37.44 |
| Chemist | $95,440 | $45.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,090 | $42.35 |
| Biological Technician | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $112,690 | $54.18 |
| School Psychologist | $82,190 | $39.51 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $101,990 a year, or $49.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn at least $132,040 a year. The top 25% earn $107,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,010 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $73,880 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
About 570 microbiologists are employed in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.