Microbiologist 3 pay range
State of Washington · class code 515L
- Class code
- 515L
- Salary range
- 60
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Microbiologist 3 is $71,136 to $95,676 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 515L.
- 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 60 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 | $71,136 | $72,900 | $74,748 | $76,608 | $78,504 | $80,496 | $82,440 | $84,528 | $86,688 | $88,788 | $91,104 | $93,288 | $95,676 |
| Monthly | $5,928 | $6,075 | $6,229 | $6,384 | $6,542 | $6,708 | $6,870 | $7,044 | $7,224 | $7,399 | $7,592 | $7,774 | $7,973 |
| Hourly | $34.07 | $34.91 | $35.80 | $36.69 | $37.60 | $38.55 | $39.48 | $40.48 | $41.52 | $42.52 | $43.63 | $44.68 | $45.82 |
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
Principal assistant to a higher level microbiologist; or leads the work of staff in two or more microbiological sub-disciplines such as virology, serology, bioassay, microbiology, immunofluorescence, etc. Coordinates the operation of a laboratory including the development and evaluation of laboratory methodologies. Performs standard laboratory procedures.
Examples of the work
Maintains policies, procedures and standards of immediate supervisor during his/her absence; performs administrative tasks in place of the supervisor such as evaluation of major laboratory equipment for purchase, preparation of correspondence for the supervisor's signature, and assists in the development of policies and procedures for the whole laboratory unit or the whole laboratory; Evaluates laboratory procedures, equipment and accuracy; certifies whether public and private laboratories meet Federal standards of quality to perform laboratory work for medicare patients; or the State standards of quality to perform laboratory work for syphillis; Recommends improved procedures for laboratory ...
Minimum qualifications
A Bachelor's degree with a major study in microbiology, public health, chemistry or medical technology or closely allied field which includes at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology. AND Four 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.
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 3 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $79,844 | $117,228 | $79,844 to $117,228 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,086 | $104,959 | $69,086 to $104,959 |
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.