Microbiologist 2 pay range
State of Washington · class code 515K
- Class code
- 515K
- Salary range
- 54
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Microbiologist 2 is $61,332 to $82,440 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 515K.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 54 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $61,332 | $62,880 | $64,512 | $66,072 | $67,704 | $69,348 | $71,136 | $72,900 | $74,748 | $76,608 | $78,504 | $80,496 | $82,440 |
| Monthly | $5,111 | $5,240 | $5,376 | $5,506 | $5,642 | $5,779 | $5,928 | $6,075 | $6,229 | $6,384 | $6,542 | $6,708 | $6,870 |
| Hourly | $29.37 | $30.11 | $30.90 | $31.64 | $32.43 | $33.21 | $34.07 | $34.91 | $35.80 | $36.69 | $37.60 | $38.55 | $39.48 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications.
What the state says the job is
Performs assignments in one or more microbiological subdisciplines such as bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, milk and water bacteriology, enteric bacteriology, virology, or serology; OR works in a laboratory which is used as a standards reference by other public or private laboratories, adapts, establishes, evaluates laboratory procedures for tests performed by their subordinates or themselves, and/or performs assignments in one or more of the above microbiological subdisciplines.
Examples of the work
Establishes procedures for the tests performed within one or more laboratory functional units; prepares detail manuals of all tests performed; establishes quality control standards for the tests performed; has signatory responsibility for results being reported from the laboratory unit; Performs microscopic, serological and biochemical procedures on bacteria referred by private or public laboratories for initial identification or confirmation; compiles and maintains records of the characteristics of the organisms identified; Processes a variety of clinical specimens to identify pathogenic bacteria; processes nose and throat cultures to identify such organisms as Group A beta hemolytic strept ...
Minimum qualifications
A Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology or a major in another laboratory science provided that at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology are included. AND Two years of professional experience in a microbiology laboratory. A Master's degree in one of the aforementioned fields may be substituted for one year of experience. A Ph.D. degree in one of the aforementioned fields may be substituted for two years of experience. OR Equivalent education/experience For Washington General Service (WGS) Positions Only: Employees shall be advanced to Microbiologist 2 after completing two years of satisfactory service as a Microbiologist 1.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.
Nearby classes in Washington
Microbiologist 2 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $69,668 | $101,951 | $69,668 to $101,951 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,538 | $92,010 | $60,538 to $92,010 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.