Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in South Carolina is $64,740/year ($31.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.17), which stretches that salary to about $69,486 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,263/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Carolina. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $65K get you in South Carolina?
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in South Carolina
Pay for microbiologists in South Carolina runs about 26% below the U.S. median of $88K. Rent runs $1,263/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.17 (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, South Carolina
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 29.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,263/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in South Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,109/month. At HUD’s $1,263/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 South Carolina?
Local pay runs 26% below the national median — $65K here vs. $88K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for microbiologists?
South Carolina pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -26%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in South Carolina?
The median is $64,740 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,820, and experienced microbiologists can clear $98,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,285/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 29.5% 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 93.17 (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 $69,486 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.