Microbiologist salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Microbiologists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $123,910 a year ($59.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $189,780 for the top 10%. That is 41% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 14% higher than the California statewide median of $108,530. There are 0.17 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,040 | $34.63 |
| 25th percentile | $82,400 | $39.62 |
| Median | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| 75th percentile | $154,670 | $74.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $189,780 | $91.24 |
| Average (mean) | $124,300 | $59.76 |
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 | $10,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,162.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,765.77 |
| Weekly | $2,382.88 |
| Hourly | $59.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $123,910 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 |
| 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 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,420 | 780 |
| 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $159,300 | $76.59 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $133,790 | $64.32 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $124,050 | $59.64 |
| Conservation Scientist | $110,200 | $52.98 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $116,660 | $56.09 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $125,430 | $60.30 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $110,810 | $53.27 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $129,940 | $62.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $128,980 | $62.01 |
| Biological Technician | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Chemist | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Chemical Technician | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Physicist | $173,450 | $83.39 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for microbiologists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $123,910 a year, or $59.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $189,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $189,780 a year. The top 25% earn $154,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,040 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $82,400 or less.
How many microbiologists work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 190 microbiologists are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.