SOC 19-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Microbiologists — Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Microbiologists in Wilmington, NC is $80,470 per year, 8.5% below the national median of $87,990.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Microbiologists in Wilmington, NC is $80,470 per year, 8.5% below the national median of $87,990. Half of workers earn between $80,250 and $104,220. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $60,450 and the ninetieth at $130,140.
Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $85,860. Of the 413 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 94th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,450 | −31.3% |
| 25th | $80,250 | −8.8% |
| Median (50th) | $80,470 | −8.5% |
| 75th | $104,220 | +18.4% |
| 90th | $130,140 | +47.9% |
| Mean | $94,920 | +7.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wilmington run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $80,470 goes as far as $85,334 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$80,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,334US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,470 a year, 8.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,450 to $130,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $85,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Microbiologists in Wilmington, NC?
The median annual wage is $80,470, or $38.69 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 Wilmington, NC is 8.5% 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 Wilmington, NC earns more than $130,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,450 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 Durham, at $85,860 per year.
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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