Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in North Carolina is $85,860/year ($41.28/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $92,661 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 23.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $86K actually covers in North Carolina, month by month
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Microbiologists pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $86K locally vs. $88K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 23.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists salary by metro in North Carolina
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $86K | +0% | 400 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $85K | -0% | 80 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $85K | -1% | 330 |
| Wilmington | $80K | -6% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $86K, rent takes 23.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,818/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $86K locally vs. $88K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for microbiologists?
North Carolina pays $86K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in North Carolina?
The median is $85,860 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,710, and experienced microbiologists can clear $138,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,410/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 23.7% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $92,661 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.