Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $95,980/year ($46.14/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers.
So what does $96K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About microbiologists
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for microbiologists in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $70K | $68K |
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $80K | $80K |
| Manhattan | $81K | $90K |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | $62K | $63K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $96K 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
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $96K, rent takes 34.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,902/month.
Is microbiologist a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $96K locally vs. $88K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $96K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s +9%.
How much do microbiologists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $95,980 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,030, and experienced microbiologists can clear $161,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,974/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 34.2% 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median microbiologists salary is worth about $95,980 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.