SOC 19-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Microbiologists — Allentown
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ · 3 metro areas compared
At $55,090, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Microbiologists, 37.4% beneath the national figure of $87,990.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $55,090, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Microbiologists, 37.4% beneath the national figure of $87,990. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $50,300 and $74,740. The lowest tenth earn under $50,300, while the highest tenth earn more than $96,320.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $101,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 299th of 516 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,300 | −42.8% |
| 25th | $50,300 | −42.8% |
| Median (50th) | $55,090 | −37.4% |
| 75th | $74,740 | −15.1% |
| 90th | $96,320 | +9.5% |
| Mean | $63,770 | −27.5% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $101,990 | 570 | |
| 2 | Harrisburg | $61,710 | 50 | |
| 3 | Pittsburgh | $59,940 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Allentown run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $55,090 goes as far as $56,445 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 35.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,445US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,090 a year, 37.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,300 to $96,320 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $101,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Microbiologists in Allentown, PA?
The median annual wage is $55,090, or $26.49 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $87,990, so pay in Allentown, PA is 37.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Allentown, PA earns more than $96,320 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $101,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Allentown, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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