Potential salary matters only as much as it matters to you.
After graduation, microbiology graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $89,725, while the bottom 20% make closer to $37,608. The median grad salary is $58,089.
Microbiology graduate salaries over time
The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology is $29,579, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $45,091.
This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
Wage ($USD)
Wage Range Median Wage
Years of work experience
Highest paying jobs for microbiology graduates
The highest paying careers for microbiology graduates are microbiologist, medical and clinical laboratory technologist and medical and clinical laboratory technician, with top salaries averaging around $54,642.
Highest Paying Careers
Avg Pay (USD)
As per most recent US census
Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in microbiology is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career