How much does a microbiologist make in San Francisco?
$130,100a year
Median yearly pay for microbiologists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $62.53 an hour or $10,840 a month.
- Hourly
- $62.53
- Vs. national median
- +48%
- Rank among cities
- 1 of 71
- Jobs in the area
- 700
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $76,430Median: $130,100Highest 10%: $186,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,430 | $36.75 | |
| 25th | $108,500 | $52.17 | |
| Median | $130,100 | $62.53 | |
| 75th | $178,600 | $85.88 | |
| 90th | $186,500 | $89.68 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for microbiologists.
| San Jose, CA | $123,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $112,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $108,900 |
| Riverside, CA | $102,600 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $100,400 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,470 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,700 |
| Psychologist | $168,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $166,400 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $165,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $160,200 |
| Hydrologist | $147,100 |
| Economist | $142,400 |
| Biological Scientist | $138,200 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $136,300 |
| Life Scientist | $134,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $62.53 ($130,100 a year).
Do microbiologists make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $130,100 against $87,990 nationally, 48% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $108,500, so San Francisco pays 20% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for microbiologist pay?
1 of 71 metro areas with data.
How much does a microbiologist make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $76,430 or less a year; the top 10% make $186,500 or more.
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.