Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Georgia is $103,070/year ($49.55/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $112,167 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,434/month, or 22% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $103K get you in Georgia?
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Georgia
Georgia sits well above the national pay line for microbiologists, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $88K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,434/month, 22.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Georgia offers a genuinely strong financial position for microbiologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Georgia
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists salary by metro in Georgia
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County | $112K | +9% | 80 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $109K | +6% | 630 |
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
Yes — at the median salary of $103K, rent takes 22.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Georgia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $67K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,991/month. At HUD’s $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 Georgia?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $103K here vs. $88K nationally.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Georgia pays $103K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $112K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Georgia?
The median is $103,070 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,510, and experienced microbiologists can clear $158,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,307/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 22.7% 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 Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (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 $112,167 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.