SOC 19-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Microbiologists — Montana
Montana · 1 metro areas compared
At $87,750, median pay for Microbiologists in Montana tracks the national median of $87,990 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $87,750, median pay for Microbiologists in Montana tracks the national median of $87,990 closely. Pay ranges from under $53,940 at the tenth percentile to more than $171,600 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $62,940 to $133,470.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.35 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montana ranks number 8th out of 42 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $65,120. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 97th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,940 | −38.7% |
| 25th | $62,940 | −28.5% |
| Median (50th) | $87,750 | −0.3% |
| 75th | $133,470 | +51.7% |
| 90th | $171,600 | +95.0% |
| Mean | $104,520 | +18.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $65,120 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $87,750 goes as far as $92,759 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$87,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$92,759US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $87,750 a year, 0.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $53,940 to $171,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 42 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $65,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Microbiologists in Montana?
The median annual wage is $87,750, or $42.19 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 Montana is 0.3% 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 Montana earns more than $171,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $53,940 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 Bozeman, at $65,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Montana. 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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