Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Vallejo, CA is $115,980/year ($55.76/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $197K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.48), so that salary is closer to $106,914 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,178/month, about 30.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $116K get you in Vallejo?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Vallejo’s Regional Price Parity (108.48). 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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What this looks like in Vallejo
Vallejo sits well above the national pay line for microbiologists, local pay runs about 32% higher than the U.S. median of $88K. Rent runs $2,178/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 8% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.48), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for microbiologists in metros near Vallejo, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $100K | $88K |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $130K | $113K |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $109K | $97K |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $124K | $112K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Vallejo, CA
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K. Top earners bring in $197K or more, a $134K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Microbiologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122K | +39% | 1,960 |
| California | $109K | +23% | 2,600 |
| Maryland | $108K | +23% | 1,590 |
| Georgia | $103K | +17% | 880 |
| New Jersey | $96K | +9% | 790 |
| Illinois | $92K | +5% | 1,470 |
| Oregon | $89K | +1% | 170 |
| Montana | $88K | -0% | 80 |
| Connecticut | $86K | -2% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $86K | -2% | 1,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $85K | -4% | 670 |
| Minnesota | $83K | -5% | 290 |
| Delaware | $83K | -6% | 190 |
| Colorado | $82K | -7% | 370 |
| New York | $81K | -8% | 1,050 |
| Florida | $81K | -8% | 270 |
| Iowa | $80K | -9% | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $79K | -10% | 170 |
| Michigan | $79K | -11% | 370 |
| Missouri | $79K | -11% | 140 |
| Indiana | $78K | -11% | 150 |
| Virginia | $78K | -12% | 280 |
| Washington | $78K | -12% | 340 |
| Tennessee | $78K | -12% | 210 |
| Alaska | $76K | -13% | 30 |
| Utah | $73K | -17% | 120 |
| Ohio | $73K | -18% | 530 |
| Nebraska | $72K | -18% | 90 |
| Hawaii | $71K | -19% | 60 |
| South Dakota | $71K | -20% | 80 |
| Kansas | $71K | -20% | 120 |
| Arizona | $70K | -21% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $69K | -22% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $67K | -24% | 420 |
| Kentucky | $67K | -24% | 80 |
| Texas | $66K | -24% | 920 |
| Idaho | $66K | -25% | 70 |
| Alabama | $66K | -25% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $65K | -26% | 100 |
| Nevada | $64K | -27% | 110 |
| Mississippi | $62K | -30% | N/A |
| Arkansas | $60K | -32% | 140 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 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 Vallejo numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Vallejo?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $116K, rent takes 31.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,178/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Vallejo?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,781/month. At HUD’s $2,178/month FMR, rent would take 58% 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 Vallejo?
Local pay is 32% above the national median — $116K here vs. $88K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 8% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Vallejo compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Vallejo pays $116K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s +32%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.48), the purchasing-power equivalent is $107K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Vallejo, CA?
The median is $115,980 a year, that works out to about $56 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,020, and experienced microbiologists can clear $197,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in Vallejo?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,921/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,178/month, which eats 31.5% 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 Vallejo?
Vallejo has a Regional Price Parity of 108.48 (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 $106,914 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.