Microbiology Science & Immunology
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Types of Degrees Microbiology Science & Immunology Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many microbiological sciences and immunology graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 617 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 584 |
| Graduate Certificate | 10 |
What Microbiology Science & Immunology Majors Need to Know
O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to microbiology and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.
Knowledge Areas for Microbiology Majors
Microbiology majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills for Microbiology Majors
When studying microbiology, you’ll learn many skills that will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs - even those that do not require a degree in the field. The following is a list of some of the most common skills needed for careers associated with this major:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Abilities for Microbiology Majors
As you progress with your microbiology degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Microbiology Science & Immunology Major?
People with a microbiology degree often go into the following careers:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 15.1% | $82,550 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 9.9% | $123,860 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 13.4% | $84,810 |
| Microbiologists | 8.2% | $71,650 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 8.0% | $79,590 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 9.9% | $123,860 |
| Water Resource Specialists | 9.9% | $123,860 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Microbiology Science & Immunology?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of microbiology majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 55 |
| Black or African American | 30 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 63 |
| White | 316 |
| International Students | 93 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 60 |
Geographic Diversity
Students from other countries are interested in Microbiology, too. About 15.1% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- China
- India
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Taiwan
How Much Do Microbiology Science & Immunology Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
According to 2017-2018 data from the U.S. Department of Education, students who graduated with a master’s degree in microbiology have a median salary of $41,650 during the early years of their career. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $38,075 (25th percentile) and $43,975 (75th percentile).
Note that some of these people may have jobs that are not directly related to a microbiology degree.
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $83,600 to $97,340 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to microbiology. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Microbiology Science & Immunology
Some careers associated with microbiology require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
Find out what the typical degree level is for microbiology careers below.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 1.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 1.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 3.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.4% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 0.5% |
| First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. | 0.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 20.6% |
Online Microbiology Science & Immunology Programs
In the 2018-2019 academic year, 198 schools offered some type of microbiological sciences and immunology program. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 7 | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 7 | 2 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 158 | 5 |
| Post-Master’s | 4 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 162 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 1 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Microbiology Science & Immunology Worth It?
The median salary for a microbiology grad is $96,420 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 142% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,130,400 after 20 years!
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Majors Related to Microbiology Science & Immunology
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to microbiology.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 8,410 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 3,098 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 2,214 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 2,071 |
| Biomathematics & Bioinformatics | 1,894 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) | 1,888 |
| Biotechnology | 1,551 |
| Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences | 1,488 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 1,120 |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | 931 |
| Genetics | 637 |
| Zoology | 514 |
| Botany/Plant Biology | 407 |
| Molecular Medicine | 71 |
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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