Microbiologists Salary in Ames, IA
The median pay for a microbiologists in Ames, IA is $108,040/year ($51.94/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.83), which stretches that salary to about $121,626 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,153/month, or 16.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $108K get you in Ames?
About microbiologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ames, IA
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $108K.Top earners bring in $164K or more - a $91K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $126K | +45% | 2,110 |
| California | $107K | +23% | 2,510 |
| Maryland | $101K | +16% | 2,040 |
| Georgia | $97K | +11% | 990 |
| Maine | $95K | +9% | 60 |
| Oregon | $89K | +2% | 160 |
| Montana | $89K | +2% | 110 |
| Virginia | $88K | +1% | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $86K | -1% | 170 |
| New York | $86K | -2% | 1,090 |
| Minnesota | $85K | -2% | 430 |
| North Carolina | $82K | -6% | 1,320 |
| Connecticut | $82K | -6% | 290 |
| New Jersey | $82K | -6% | 1,080 |
| Indiana | $80K | -8% | 230 |
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ames numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do microbiologists make in Ames, IA?
The median is $108,040 a year - that works out to about $51.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,070, and experienced microbiologists can clear $164,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $108K enough to live in Ames?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,555/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,153/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 17.6% 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 Ames?
Ames has a Regional Price Parity of 88.83 (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 $121,626 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.