Microbiologists pay range in Athens
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $91,210 a year or less, while the top 10% make $185,870 or more. The middle half of microbiologists in Athens earn between $99,030 and $144,870.
- $91K10th
- $99K25th
- $112KMedian
- $145K75th
- $186K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $123,910 | $10,326 | $59.57 |
| Median | $112,440 | $9,370 | $54.06 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $99,030 | $8,252 | $47.61 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $144,870 | $12,072 | $69.65 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Microbiologists pay in Athens vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Microbiologists in Athens earn 14% more than the Georgia average ($108,930) and 27% more than the U.S. average ($97,600). At the median the gap is +28% against the U.S. median of $87,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $123,910 | $112,440 | $91,210 | $185,870 | 80 |
| Georgia | $108,930 | $103,070 | $66,510 | $158,020 | 880 |
| United States | $97,600 | $87,990 | $54,670 | $150,000 | 18,940 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Microbiologists salary after taxes in Athens
On the average salary of $123,910, a single filer in Athens takes home about $90,524 a year, or $7,544 a month and $3,482 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Athens a good place for microbiologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Athens area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.3), so the average $123,910 buys what about $132,747 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Athens ($41,220). A typical home costs $373,118, or 3.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Microbiologists salary in other Georgia cities
Athens ranks 1st of 2 Georgia metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Athens$123,910
- Atlanta$113,080
Highest-paying cities for microbiologists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($135,860).
- San Francisco, CA$135,860
- Santa Rosa, CA$126,450
- Vallejo, CA$125,010
- San Jose, CA$124,300
- Athens, GA$123,910
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Microbiologists salary in Athens: questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour in Athens?
$59.57 an hour on average, and $54.06 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $91,210 a year and the 25th percentile is $99,030, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the microbiologists take-home pay in Athens?
About $90,524 a year ($7,544 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $123,910.
Do microbiologists earn more in Athens than elsewhere?
The average here is 27% more than the U.S. average for this job ($97,600).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1022; area Athens-Clarke County, GA (12020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 7.08, this job is 7.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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