Microbiologist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Microbiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $114,800 a year ($55.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 48% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $77,820. There are 0.44 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| 25th percentile | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Median | $114,800 | $55.19 |
| 75th percentile | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $122,560 | $58.92 |
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 | $9,566.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,783.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,415.38 |
| Weekly | $2,207.69 |
| Hourly | $55.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $114,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,990 | 570 |
| Richmond, VA | $90,930 | 50 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $85,120 | 290 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Conservation Scientist | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,780 | $54.22 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $126,120 | $60.63 |
| Forester | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| Animal Scientist | $82,810 | $39.81 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $113,350 | $54.50 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $114,800 a year, or $55.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $156,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,070 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $82,410 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,370 microbiologists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.