Microbiologists pay range in Lexington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,650 a year or less, while the top 10% make $126,320 or more. The middle half of microbiologists in Lexington earn between $63,400 and $85,740.
- $56K10th
- $63K25th
- $66KMedian
- $86K75th
- $126K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $77,270 | $6,439 | $37.15 |
| Median | $66,500 | $5,542 | $31.97 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $63,400 | $5,283 | $30.48 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $85,740 | $7,145 | $41.22 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Microbiologists pay in Lexington vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Microbiologists in Lexington earn about the same as the Kentucky average ($75,570) and 21% less than the U.S. average ($97,600). At the median the gap is -24% against the U.S. median of $87,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $77,270 | $66,500 | $55,650 | $126,320 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $75,570 | $66,500 | $55,100 | $123,070 | 80 |
| 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 Lexington
On the average salary of $77,270, a single filer in Lexington takes home about $58,478 a year, or $4,873 a month and $2,249 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). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Is Lexington a good place for microbiologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lexington area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $77,270 buys what about $83,185 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Lexington ($48,620). A typical home costs $327,671, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Microbiologists salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$75,060
- Dayton, OH$74,380
- Indianapolis, IN$81,810
- Columbus, OH$87,060
- Nashville, TN$75,100
- Champaign, IL$69,280
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 Lexington: questions
How much do microbiologists make an hour in Lexington?
$37.15 an hour on average, and $31.97 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level microbiologists salary in Lexington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,650 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,400, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the microbiologists take-home pay in Lexington?
About $58,478 a year ($4,873 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $77,270. Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Do microbiologists earn more in Lexington than elsewhere?
The average here is 21% 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY (30460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
- 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). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.53, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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