Microbiologists Salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
The median pay for a microbiologists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $66,700/year ($32.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $133K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.34), that's roughly $69,234 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,730/month — about 37.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $67K get you in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin’s Regional Price Parity (96.34). 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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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $133K or more, a $85K 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do microbiologists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median is $66,700 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,510, and experienced microbiologists can clear $133,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,609/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,730/month, which eats 37.5% 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has a Regional Price Parity of 96.34 (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 $69,234 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.