Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Oregon is $89,220/year ($42.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $87,095 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,555/month, or 27.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $89K actually covers in Oregon, month by month
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Oregon
Microbiologists pay in Oregon tracks closely to the national median, $89K locally vs. $88K nationwide, a 1% difference. Rent runs $1,555/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oregon
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $141K or more, a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists salary by metro in Oregon
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $90K | +1% | 140 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Oregon 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 Oregon?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 29.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,110/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Oregon?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $89K locally vs. $88K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Oregon pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s +1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — below the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Oregon?
The median is $89,220 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,600, and experienced microbiologists can clear $141,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,323/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 29.2% 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 Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median microbiologists salary is worth about $87,095 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.