SOC 19-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Microbiologists — Virginia
Virginia · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia is $77,820 a year, trailing the national median of $87,990 by 11.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia is $77,820 a year, trailing the national median of $87,990 by 11.6%. Half of workers earn between $55,130 and $129,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $55,120 and the ninetieth at $161,470.
The area has 280 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.56 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 42 states with published data for this occupation, Virginia ranks 22nd by median wage. Richmond leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $90,930. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 231st of 747 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,120 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $55,130 | −37.3% |
| Median (50th) | $77,820 | −11.6% |
| 75th | $129,250 | +46.9% |
| 90th | $161,470 | +83.5% |
| Mean | $94,580 | +7.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $90,930 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $77,820 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$77,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,973US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,820 a year, 11.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,120 to $161,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 42 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $90,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Microbiologists in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $77,820, or $37.41 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 Virginia is 11.6% 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 Virginia earns more than $161,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,120 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 Richmond, at $90,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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