Microbiologists Salary in Columbia, SC
The median pay for a microbiologists in Columbia, SC is $55,140/year ($26.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $89K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.66), which stretches that salary to about $58,873 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,276/month — about 35.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $55K get you in Columbia?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Columbia’s Regional Price Parity (93.66). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About microbiologists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, SC
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $89K or more, a $36K 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 |
| South Dakota | $78K | -11% | 130 |
| Washington | $77K | -12% | 350 |
| Alaska | $77K | -12% | 40 |
| Iowa | $76K | -12% | 160 |
| Ohio | $76K | -13% | 530 |
| Delaware | $76K | -13% | 180 |
| Mississippi | $76K | -13% | 40 |
| Illinois | $74K | -15% | 840 |
| Florida | $74K | -15% | 300 |
| Nebraska | $73K | -16% | 70 |
| Nevada | $72K | -17% | 50 |
| Tennessee | $71K | -19% | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | -19% | 780 |
| Michigan | $71K | -19% | 340 |
| Missouri | $69K | -21% | 130 |
| Utah | $68K | -22% | 140 |
| Hawaii | $65K | -26% | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $63K | -27% | 690 |
| Kentucky | $63K | -28% | 80 |
| Texas | $63K | -28% | 690 |
| Kansas | $62K | -28% | 160 |
| North Dakota | $61K | -30% | 40 |
| Arkansas | $61K | -30% | 140 |
| Idaho | $60K | -31% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $58K | -34% | 90 |
| Alabama | $56K | -36% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 41 states
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 Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do microbiologists make in Columbia, SC?
The median is $55,140 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,210, and experienced microbiologists can clear $88,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,703/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,276/month, which eats 34.5% 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 Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 93.66 (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 $58,873 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.