U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Commerce / Microbiology

Job-title file

Microbiology

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

18 employees hold this title in Department of Commerce. Median total compensation for the role is $134,302, above the department median of $127,707.

Employees: 18
Total payroll: $2.5M
Role median: $134,302
Agency median: $127,707
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$75,591$191,900+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 18 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Microbiology pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Microbiologists — about 18,940 people — is $87,990. Department of Commerce pays a median base salary of $134,302 for this role, 53% above that figure — about the 81st percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Commerce sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$54,670

$67,100

$87,990

$122,350

$150,000

Department of Commerce median · $134,302

The bar is the range of annual wages for Microbiologists across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Commerce’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Commerce is $134,302, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Microbiology is held in 8 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Commerce, the median of $134,302 ranks #4 of 8.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Energy

$191,900 · 3

Department of Homeland Security

$162,710 · 4

Environmental Protection Agency

$140,040 · 46

Department of Health and Human Services

$133,692 · 1,185

Department of Interior

$122,463 · 25

Department of Veterans Affairs

$120,646 · 37

Department of Agriculture

$113,751 · 433

Median total compensation for the Microbiology role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Commerce

Accounting 317
Administrative Officer 190
Auditing 104
Biological Science Technician 68
Budget Analysis 341
Cartography 144
Chemistry 290
Civil Engineering 68
Computer Science 303
Consumer Safety 81
Contracting 443
Design Patent Examining 359
Ecology 78
Economist 556
Electronics Engineering 278
Electronics Technical 407
Emergency Management Specialist 65
Engineering Technical 164
Financial Administration and Program 272
Fish and Wildlife Administration 73
Fish Biology 744
General Arts and Information 154
General Attorney 1,548
General Business and Industry 749
General Engineering 264
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 816
General Physical Science 1,154
Geography 164
Grants Management 151
Human Resources Assistance 59
Human Resources Management 523
Hydrology 257
Information Technology Management 3,380
Legal Instruments Examining 152
Management and Program Analysis 2,176
Materials Engineering 79
Mathematical Statistics 429
Mechanical Engineering 156
Meteorological Technician 153
Meteorology 2,411
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 2,096
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 8,389
Miscellaneous Vessel Jobs 85
Oceanography 168
Paralegal Specialist 146
Patent Administration 424
Patent Attorney 307
Patent Examining 8,541
Physical Science Technician 124
Physics 419
Program Management 325
Public Affairs 127
Secretary 67
Security Administration 157
Social Science 64
Statistical Assistant 466
Statistics 1,576
Support Services Administration 80
Technical Information Services 62
Trade Specialist 567

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Tara Eskandari

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Tara Eskandari holds the role of Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 05.

Kimberly Orr

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Industry and Security
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Orr is a Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Kelly Goodwin

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$189,890

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $189,890
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $189,890
Pay grade: 05
Work city: San Diego
Work county: San Diego
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $189,890
Basic Pay (before locality): $189,890
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063260073
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Kelly Goodwin serves as a Microbiology based in San Diego, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $189,890. They are classified at grade 05.

Cynthia Masada

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$188,719

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $188,719
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $188,719
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $188,719
Basic Pay (before locality): $188,719
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Cynthia Masada is a Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Seattle, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $188,719. They are classified at grade 04.

Shawn Mclaughlin

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Oxford
Work county: Talbot
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $181,216
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241180041
Length of Service (Years): 43
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Shawn Mclaughlin holds the role of Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Oxford, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $181,216. Their pay grade is 04.

Betty Lee

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$171,923

Sub-department: Bureau of Industry and Security
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,923
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,923
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Betty Lee holds the role of Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $171,923. Their pay grade is 14.

Patricia Rabideau

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$162,373

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $161,641
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,373
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Pascagoula
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $161,641
Basic Pay (before locality): $161,641
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 281900059
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Patricia Rabideau serves as a Microbiology based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Their 2024 pay totaled $162,373. They are classified at grade 04.

Cheryl Woodley

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$158,860

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $158,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,860
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Charleston
Work county: Charleston
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $158,860
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450410019
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Cheryl Woodley serves as a Microbiology based in Charleston, South Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $158,860. They are classified at grade 04.

Christopher Sinigalliano

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$135,797

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $135,797
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,797
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Miami
Work county: Miami-Dade
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,797
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,797
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122010086
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Christopher Sinigalliano holds the role of Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Miami, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,797. Their pay grade is 04.

Barry Smith

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$132,807

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $132,807
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,807
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Milford
Work county: South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Work state: Connecticut

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $132,807
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,807
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 090385170
Length of Service (Years): 38
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Barry Smith works as a Microbiology for Department of Commerce based in Milford, Connecticut. Barry earned $132,807 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Diane Kapareiko

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$124,265

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $124,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,265
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Milford
Work county: South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Work state: Connecticut

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $124,265
Basic Pay (before locality): $124,265
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 090385170
Length of Service (Years): 41
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Diane Kapareiko serves as a Microbiology based in Milford, Connecticut. Their 2024 pay totaled $124,265. They are classified at grade 03.

Stephen Bell

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$114,217

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $113,047
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,170
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,217
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pascagoula
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,047
Basic Pay (before locality): $113,047
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 281900059
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Stephen Bell works as a Microbiology for Department of Commerce based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Stephen earned $114,217 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Stephanie Servetas

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$112,863

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $112,863
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,863
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Sheridan
Work county: Sheridan
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,863
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,863
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560750033
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Stephanie Servetas serves as a Microbiology based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,863. They are classified at grade 03.

Laura Webster

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$112,793

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $111,793
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,793
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Charleston
Work county: Charleston
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,793
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,793
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450410019
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Laura Webster is a Microbiology at Department of Commerce based in Charleston, South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $112,793. They are classified at grade 03.

Shannara Lynn

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$105,997

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $105,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,997
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pascagoula
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,265
Basic Pay (before locality): $105,265
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 281900059
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Shannara Lynn works as a Microbiology for Department of Commerce based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Shannara earned $105,997 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Alshae Logan

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$95,519

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $95,519
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,519
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $95,519
Basic Pay (before locality): $95,519
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Alshae Logan serves as a Microbiology based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $95,519. They are classified at grade 03.

Stephanie Haynes

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$92,071

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $91,339
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,071
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pascagoula
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,339
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,339
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 281900059
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Stephanie Haynes serves as a Microbiology based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Their 2024 pay totaled $92,071. They are classified at grade 03.

Johnathan Likens

Microbiology/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$75,591

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $75,591
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,591
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pascagoula
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $75,591
Basic Pay (before locality): $75,591
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 281900059
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0403
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Johnathan Likens serves as a Microbiology based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Their 2024 pay totaled $75,591. They are classified at grade 03.