EN

Occupation · SOC 19-1022

Microbiologists

There are 18,940 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $87,990 a year. The most jobs are in Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
18,940
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$87,990
Median pay a year
Middle half: $67,100–$122,350
1,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.2%
391
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+9.8% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 71 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $122,350 · LCA filings 261,810$122,35026
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $114,800 · LCA filings 201,370$114,80020
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $85,710 · LCA filings 371,330$85,71037
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $100,620 · LCA filings 121,240$100,62012
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $100,420 · LCA filings 4780$100,4204
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $130,070 · LCA filings 29700$130,07029
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $109,320 · LCA filings 14630$109,32014
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $101,990 · LCA filings 14570$101,99014
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCMedian pay $85,860 · LCA filings 3400$85,8603
Raleigh–Cary, NCMedian pay $85,010 · LCA filings 0330$85,0100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 700 · LCA filings 29$130,07070029
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 190 · LCA filings 6$123,9101906
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$123,590300
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 1,810 · LCA filings 26$122,3501,81026
Vallejo, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$115,980300

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 17 · Employment 1,33037171,330
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 15 · Employment 7002915700
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 15 · Employment 1,81026151,810
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 7 · Employment 1,3702071,370
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 630144630

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $103,771 · Level III $120,910 · Level IV $138,070$86,611$103,771$120,910$138,070
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $96,637 · Level III $122,304 · Level IV $147,950$70,990$96,637$122,304$147,950
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $82,992 · Level III $95,950 · Level IV $108,888$70,054$82,992$95,950$108,888
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $79,331 · Level III $95,389 · Level IV $111,446$63,274$79,331$95,389$111,446
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $84,739 · Level III $101,400 · Level IV $118,061$68,078$84,739$101,400$118,061
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $112,320 · Level III $135,637 · Level IV $158,933$89,024$112,320$135,637$158,933
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $94,952 · Level III $112,902 · Level IV $130,832$77,022$94,952$112,902$130,832
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $78,915 · Level III $95,576 · Level IV $112,216$62,275$78,915$95,576$112,216
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCLevel II $85,821 · Level III $101,816 · Level IV $117,832$69,805$85,821$101,816$117,832
Raleigh–Cary, NCLevel II $78,042 · Level III $93,995 · Level IV $109,949$62,088$78,042$93,995$109,949

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Microbiological Sciences and ImmunologyCIP 26.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months388STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Biology, GeneralCIP 26.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months4,172STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,304STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Microbiologists in every metro area

All 71 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Science

Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherMedical Scientists, except EpidemiologistsBiological TechniciansChemical TechniciansEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthChemistsEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology