How much does a microbiologist make in California?
$108,500a year
Median yearly pay for microbiologists in California. That is $52.18 an hour or $9,044 a month.
- Hourly
- $52.18
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 42
- Jobs in the state
- 2,600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $62,440Median: $108,500Highest 10%: $183,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,440 | $30.02 | |
| 25th | $80,060 | $38.49 | |
| Median | $108,500 | $52.18 | |
| 75th | $141,400 | $67.96 | |
| 90th | $183,400 | $88.18 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $130,100 |
| San Jose, CA | $123,900 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $123,600 |
| Vallejo, CA | $116,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $112,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $108,900 |
| Riverside, CA | $102,600 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $100,400 |
| Fresno, CA | $91,890 |
| Oxnard, CA | $80,540 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,470 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for microbiologists.
| 1. Massachusetts | $122,400 |
| 2. California | $108,500 |
| 3. Maryland | $108,500 |
| 4. Georgia | $103,100 |
| 5. New Jersey | $96,020 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $52.18 ($108,500 a year).
Do microbiologists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $108,500 against $87,990 nationally, 23% more.
Where does California rank for microbiologist pay?
California ranks 2 of 42 states.
Which city in California pays microbiologists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $130,100 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.