Microbiologists: Career Profile
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
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What Do Microbiologists Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of microbiologists span:
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful microbiologists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Bacteriologist
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
- Clinical Microbiologist
- Cytologist
- Electron Microscopist
- Medical Lab Scientist (Medical Laboratory Scientist)
- Medical Microbiologist
- Medical Technologist
Job Outlook
There are roughly 144,066 microbiologists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -2.7% over the projection horizon.
Microbiologists Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $73,155 |
| Hourly median | $35.17 |
| 10th percentile | $45,110 |
| 25th percentile | $59,132 |
| 75th percentile | $87,177 |
| 90th percentile | $101,199 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $126,260 |
| California | $107,380 |
| Maryland | $101,060 |
| Georgia | $97,090 |
| Maine | $94,920 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Montana | $88,770 |
| Virginia | $88,080 |
| New Hampshire | $86,380 |
| New York | $85,850 |
| Minnesota | $85,340 |
| North Carolina | $82,170 |
| Connecticut | $82,080 |
| New Jersey | $82,070 |
| Indiana | $80,110 |
| South Dakota | $77,730 |
| Washington | $77,130 |
| Alaska | $76,900 |
| Iowa | $76,490 |
| Ohio | $75,940 |
| Delaware | $75,720 |
| Mississippi | $75,590 |
| Illinois | $74,350 |
| Florida | $74,220 |
| Nebraska | $72,950 |
| Nevada | $72,380 |
| Tennessee | $71,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,010 |
| Michigan | $70,610 |
| Colorado | $69,010 |
| Missouri | $68,630 |
| Utah | $67,780 |
| Hawaii | $65,000 |
| Wisconsin | $63,470 |
| Kentucky | $62,900 |
| Texas | $62,720 |
| Kansas | $62,470 |
| North Dakota | $61,420 |
| Arkansas | $60,710 |
| Idaho | $60,450 |
| South Carolina | $57,690 |
| Puerto Rico | $57,570 |
| Alabama | $55,600 |
Where Microbiologists Earn the Most
Pay for microbiologists shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $118,095 | 13.3% | 3.91 |
| Far Western US | $101,384 | 16.1% | 1.01 |
| Middle Atlantic | $88,470 | 26.2% | 3.14 |
| Southeast | $82,708 | 17.2% | 1.41 |
| Plains States | $76,357 | 5.7% | 1.04 |
| Great Lakes | $71,836 | 13.3% | 1.11 |
| Rocky Mountains | $71,197 | 3.4% | 1.00 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $57,570 | 0.9% | 1.41 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $129,830 | 130 |
| Worcester, MA | MA | $127,120 | 170 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $126,140 | 870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $124,580 | 1,790 |
| Modesto, CA | CA | $113,870 | 60 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | GA | $110,260 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | TN | $108,970 | 60 |
| Ames, IA | IA | $108,040 | 80 |
Top Industries Employing Microbiologists
The bulk of microbiologists are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8,170 | $89,710 |
| Manufacturing | 4,410 | $81,590 |
| Educational Services | 1,330 | $64,170 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,010 | $108,970 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 360 | $58,490 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 350 | $97,990 |
| Wholesale Trade | 240 | $83,690 |
Below are examples of industries where microbiologists work:
Tools and Technology
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for microbiologists reflects the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level microbiologists positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Soil and Plant Scientists (Supplemental)
- Biochemists and Biophysicists (Primary-Short)
- Bioinformatics Scientists (Supplemental)
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists (Primary-Long)
- Geneticists (Primary-Short)
- Biologists (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for microbiologists often complete programs in:
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
8 programs across 3 majors
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 19-1022.00 (Microbiologists).
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