Microbiologists pay range in Madison
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $53,390 a year or less, while the top 10% make $109,040 or more. The middle half of microbiologists in Madison earn between $59,950 and $91,610.
- $53K10th
- $60K25th
- $68KMedian
- $92K75th
- $109K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $78,970 | $6,581 | $37.97 |
| Median | $67,940 | $5,662 | $32.66 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $59,950 | $4,996 | $28.82 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $91,610 | $7,634 | $44.04 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Microbiologists pay in Madison vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
Microbiologists in Madison earn 8% more than the Wisconsin average ($73,280) and 19% less than the U.S. average ($97,600). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $87,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $78,970 | $67,940 | $53,390 | $109,040 | 270 |
| Wisconsin | $73,280 | $67,100 | $46,030 | $109,040 | 420 |
| 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 Madison
On the average salary of $78,970, a single filer in Madison takes home about $61,206 a year, or $5,101 a month and $2,354 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Madison a good place for microbiologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Madison area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.3), so the average $78,970 buys what about $81,172 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Madison ($58,080). A typical home costs $452,769, or 5.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Microbiologists salary in other Wisconsin cities
Madison ranks 1st of 2 Wisconsin metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Madison$78,970
- Milwaukee$67,430
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 Madison: questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour in Madison?
$37.97 an hour on average, and $32.66 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Madison?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $53,390 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,950, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the microbiologists take-home pay in Madison?
About $61,206 a year ($5,101 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $78,970.
Do microbiologists earn more in Madison than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% less 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 Madison, WI (31540). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.0%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 5.39, this job is 5.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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