Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $112,440/year ($54.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $91K at the entry level to $186K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.34), which stretches that salary to about $120,463 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,331/month, or 18.7% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $112K get you in Athens-Clarke County?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Athens-Clarke County’s Regional Price Parity (93.34). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Athens-Clarke County
Athens-Clarke County sits well above the national pay line for microbiologists, local pay runs about 28% higher than the U.S. median of $88K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,331/month, 19.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.34 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Athens-Clarke County offers a genuinely strong financial position for microbiologistss at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for microbiologists in metros near Athens-Clarke County, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $109K | $109K |
| Wilmington | $80K | $83K |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $86K | $88K |
| Raleigh-Cary | $85K | $87K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Athens-Clarke County, GA
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $91K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K. Top earners bring in $186K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Microbiologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122K | +39% | 1,960 |
| California | $109K | +23% | 2,600 |
| Maryland | $108K | +23% | 1,590 |
| Georgia | $103K | +17% | 880 |
| New Jersey | $96K | +9% | 790 |
| Illinois | $92K | +5% | 1,470 |
| Oregon | $89K | +1% | 170 |
| Montana | $88K | -0% | 80 |
| Connecticut | $86K | -2% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $86K | -2% | 1,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $85K | -4% | 670 |
| Minnesota | $83K | -5% | 290 |
| Delaware | $83K | -6% | 190 |
| Colorado | $82K | -7% | 370 |
| New York | $81K | -8% | 1,050 |
| Florida | $81K | -8% | 270 |
| Iowa | $80K | -9% | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $79K | -10% | 170 |
| Michigan | $79K | -11% | 370 |
| Missouri | $79K | -11% | 140 |
| Indiana | $78K | -11% | 150 |
| Virginia | $78K | -12% | 280 |
| Washington | $78K | -12% | 340 |
| Tennessee | $78K | -12% | 210 |
| Alaska | $76K | -13% | 30 |
| Utah | $73K | -17% | 120 |
| Ohio | $73K | -18% | 530 |
| Nebraska | $72K | -18% | 90 |
| Hawaii | $71K | -19% | 60 |
| South Dakota | $71K | -20% | 80 |
| Kansas | $71K | -20% | 120 |
| Arizona | $70K | -21% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $69K | -22% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $67K | -24% | 420 |
| Kentucky | $67K | -24% | 80 |
| Texas | $66K | -24% | 920 |
| Idaho | $66K | -25% | 70 |
| Alabama | $66K | -25% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $65K | -26% | 100 |
| Nevada | $64K | -27% | 110 |
| Mississippi | $62K | -30% | N/A |
| Arkansas | $60K | -32% | 140 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Athens-Clarke County numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Athens-Clarke County?
Yes — at the median salary of $112K, rent takes 19.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,331/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Athens-Clarke County?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $91K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,473/month. At HUD’s $1,331/month FMR, rent would take 24% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is microbiologist a high-paying job in Athens-Clarke County?
Local pay is 28% above the national median — $112K here vs. $88K nationally.
How does Athens-Clarke County compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Athens-Clarke County pays $112K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s +28%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $120K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median is $112,440 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $91,210, and experienced microbiologists can clear $185,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in Athens-Clarke County?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,814/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month, which eats 19.5% 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 Athens-Clarke County?
Athens-Clarke County has a Regional Price Parity of 93.34 (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 $120,463 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.