Microbiologists Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
The median pay for a microbiologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $90,790/year ($43.65/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $133K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $93,051 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 29.2% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $91K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Durham-Chapel Hill’s Regional Price Parity (97.57). 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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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $91K. Top earners bring in $133K or more, a $71K 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 Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do microbiologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $90,790 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,770, and experienced microbiologists can clear $132,670. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $91K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,681/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month, which eats 30.1% 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 Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (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 $93,051 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.