Microbiologists pay range in Wilmington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,450 a year or less, while the top 10% make $130,140 or more. The middle half of microbiologists in Wilmington earn between $80,250 and $104,220.
- $60K10th
- $80K25th
- $80KMedian
- $104K75th
- $130K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,920 | $7,910 | $45.63 |
| Median | $80,470 | $6,706 | $38.69 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $80,250 | $6,688 | $38.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $104,220 | $8,685 | $50.11 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Microbiologists pay in Wilmington vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Microbiologists in Wilmington earn about the same as the North Carolina average ($95,490) and about the same as the U.S. average ($97,600). At the median the gap is -9% against the U.S. median of $87,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $94,920 | $80,470 | $60,450 | $130,140 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $95,490 | $85,860 | $57,710 | $138,600 | 1,050 |
| 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 Wilmington
On the average salary of $94,920, a single filer in Wilmington takes home about $72,328 a year, or $6,027 a month and $2,782 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Wilmington a good place for microbiologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Wilmington area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.4), so the average $94,920 buys what about $98,442 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Wilmington ($45,800). A typical home costs $446,210, or 4.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Microbiologists salary in other North Carolina cities
Wilmington ranks 2nd of 4 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Durham pays the most ($101,980).
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 Wilmington: questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour in Wilmington?
$45.63 an hour on average, and $38.69 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Wilmington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,450 a year and the 25th percentile is $80,250, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the microbiologists take-home pay in Wilmington?
About $72,328 a year ($6,027 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,920.
Do microbiologists earn more in Wilmington than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Wilmington, NC (48900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 15.0%.
- 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).
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