Microbiologist salary in Seattle, WA
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Bothell, Lake Forest Park.
Median salary$86,611
Middle 50%$79k–$106.6k
vs. national median+15%comparison median $75,000
Filings10FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k$120k$130k$140k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $77,822 |
| 25th | $78,979 |
| 50th (median) | $86,611 |
| 75th | $106,561 |
| 90th | $124,989 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $61,718 | $57,350 | $65,485 | 14 |
| FY2021 | $56,048 | $54,063 | $68,433 | 10 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2024 | $76,500 | $70,248 | $82,382 | 10 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 6 |
Cost of living
Seattle's median Microbiologist salary of $86,611 is worth about $77,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Seattle = 111.1).
Compared with all workers here
All Microbiologists in the Seattle, WA area earned a median of $77,690 in May 2025 (220 employed). The H-1B median here is $86,611, 11% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Epidemiology | too few | 3 |
| University of Washington | too few | 3 |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.