Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Arizona is $69,880/year ($33.6/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $72,482 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,437/month, about 30.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $70K get you in Arizona?
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Arizona
Pay for microbiologists in Arizona runs about 21% below the U.S. median of $88K. Rent runs $1,437/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists salary by metro in Arizona
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $70K | +0% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $70K, rent takes 30.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,152/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 46% 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 Arizona?
Local pay runs 21% below the national median — $70K here vs. $88K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Arizona pays $70K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — below the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Arizona?
The median is $69,880 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,530, and experienced microbiologists can clear $93,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,650/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 30.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a microbiologists salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (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 $72,482 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.