Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Wisconsin is $67,100/year ($32.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $71,133 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 27.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $67K actually covers in Wisconsin, month by month
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What this looks like in Wisconsin
Pay for microbiologists in Wisconsin runs about 24% below the U.S. median of $88K. Rent runs $1,202/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% 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, Wisconsin
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $109K or more, a $63K spread from bottom to top.
Microbiologists salary by metro in Wisconsin
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $68K | +1% | 270 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $65K | -3% | 70 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $67K, rent takes 27.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for microbiologists in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,136/month. At HUD’s $1,202/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 Wisconsin?
Local pay runs 24% below the national median — $67K here vs. $88K nationally. Cost of living is 6% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Wisconsin pays $67K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $71K — below the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Wisconsin?
The median is $67,100 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,030, and experienced microbiologists can clear $109,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,423/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 27.2% 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (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 $71,133 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.