Microbiologists in California
Considering working as a Microbiologists in California? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Microbiologists Make in California?
The microbiologists working in California, the typical annual salary is $107,380 per year (or about $51.63/hour).Earnings range from $71,940 at the 10th percentile to $175,280 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,940 | $34.59 |
| 25th percentile | $93,310 | $44.86 |
| Median (50th) | $107,380 | $51.63 |
| 75th percentile | $134,260 | $64.55 |
| 90th percentile | $175,280 | $84.27 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California relative to the national average — is 1.09.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, microbiologists earn a median of $73,155 per year ($35.17/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 144,066 microbiologists in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 2,510 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 170 microbiologists.
Top California Metros for Microbiologists
The largest metro-area employers of microbiologists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 870 | $126,140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 680 | $100,820 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 320 | $99,480 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 150 | $106,660 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 130 | $129,830 |
| Modesto, CA | 60 | $113,870 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 50 | $99,960 |
| Fresno, CA | 30 | $87,270 |
Top States for Microbiologists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most microbiologists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,510 |
| Massachusetts | 2,110 |
| Maryland | 2,040 |
| North Carolina | 1,320 |
| New York | 1,090 |
| New Jersey | 1,080 |
| Georgia | 990 |
| Illinois | 840 |
| Pennsylvania | 780 |
| Wisconsin | 690 |
| Texas | 690 |
| Ohio | 530 |
| Minnesota | 430 |
| Colorado | 370 |
| Washington | 350 |
| Michigan | 340 |
| Florida | 300 |
| Connecticut | 290 |
| Indiana | 230 |
| Tennessee | 190 |
Highest-Paying States for Microbiologists
These states pay the most for microbiologists.
| 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 |
Skills
The most important microbiologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for microbiologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Microbiologists typically:
- 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.
- Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
- Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
- Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
- Develop new products and procedures for sterilization, food and pharmaceutical supply preservation, or microbial contamination detection.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Microbiology Science & Immunology
- Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
- Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Soil Sciences
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to microbiologists include:
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Also Known As
Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Cytologist, Electron Microscopist, Medical Lab Scientist (Medical Laboratory Scientist), Medical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist, Microbiology Analyst, Microbiology Scientist, Microbiology Specialist, Microscopist, Pharmaceutical Microbiologist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-1022.00
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