Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Alabama is $65,690/year ($31.58/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.36), which stretches that salary to about $74,344 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,085/month, or 25.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Alabama. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $66K get you in Alabama?
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Alabama
Pay for microbiologists in Alabama runs about 25% below the U.S. median of $88K. Rent runs $1,085/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.36 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alabama?
Yes — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 25.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,085/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Alabama?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,301/month. At HUD’s $1,085/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is microbiologist a high-paying job in Alabama?
Local pay runs 25% below the national median — $66K here vs. $88K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Alabama compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Alabama pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.36), the purchasing-power equivalent is $74K — below the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Alabama?
The median is $65,690 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,350, and experienced microbiologists can clear $96,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,290/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,085/month, which eats 25.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a microbiologists salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 88.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median microbiologists salary is worth about $74,344 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do microbiologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.