Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Ohio is $72,500/year ($34.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.45), which stretches that salary to about $79,278 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,188/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Ohio. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Ohio?
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Ohio
Pay for microbiologists in Ohio runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $88K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,188/month, 24.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.45 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Ohio can be a reasonable trade-off for microbiologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ohio
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists salary by metro in Ohio
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $78K | +8% | 170 |
| Cleveland | $74K | +2% | 70 |
| Cincinnati | $66K | -9% | 170 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $62K | -14% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ohio numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Ohio?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 24.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,188/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Ohio?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,785/month. At HUD’s $1,188/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Ohio?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $73K here vs. $88K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Ohio compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Ohio pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.45), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — below the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Ohio?
The median is $72,500 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,420, and experienced microbiologists can clear $129,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Ohio?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,841/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,188/month, which eats 24.5% 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 Ohio?
Ohio has a Regional Price Parity of 91.45 (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 $79,278 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.