Microbiologists pay in California
In California, the median pay for microbiologists is $52.18 an hour ($108,530 a year). About 2,600 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($87,990). California ranks 2nd of 42 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for microbiologists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $30.02 | $62,440 |
| 25% of workers | $38.49 | $80,060 |
| Half of workers (median) | $52.18 | $108,530 |
| 75% of workers | $67.96 | $141,360 |
| 90% of workers | $88.18 | $183,420 |
Microbiologists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $130,070 | 700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $123,910 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $123,590 | 30 |
| Vallejo | $115,980 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $112,470 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $108,900 | 270 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $102,590 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $100,420 | 780 |
| Fresno | $91,890 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $80,540 | 30 |
| Modesto | $59,470 | 80 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for microbiologists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +6.2% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,500 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 |
| Conservation Scientists | $79,810 |
| Epidemiologists | $110,760 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.