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.
Microbiologists
SOC: 19-1022 O*NET: 19-1022.00
Median Salary
$87,330
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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 does a Microbiologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$51,220
10th percentile
Early Career
$63,920
25th percentile
Median
$87,330
50th percentile
Experienced
$120,750
75th percentile
Top Earners
$150,650
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$51,220
25th
$63,920
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$87,330
Mean: $95,200
75th
$120,750
90th
$150,650
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $99,430 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $63,920 and $120,750
- •Salary spread is 65.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 19,760 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,700
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services41.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services41.3%
Scientific Research and Development Services28.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.1%
Annual Openings:1,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,700
Current
2034 (Projected)21,600
+4.1%
+800
Employment Change
+4.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Microbiologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 43 locations
California
2,510 jobs$107,3801.09x
Massachusetts
2,110 jobs$126,2604.51x
Maryland
2,040 jobs$101,0605.79x
North Carolina
1,320 jobs$82,1702.11x
New York
1,090 jobs$85,8500.89x
New Jersey
1,080 jobs$82,0701.98x
Georgia
990 jobs$97,0901.59x
Illinois
840 jobs$74,3501.08x
Pennsylvania
780 jobs$71,0101.02x
Wisconsin
690 jobs$63,4701.84x
Texas
690 jobs$62,7200.39x
Ohio
530 jobs$75,9400.75x
Minnesota
430 jobs$85,3401.14x
Colorado
370 jobs$69,0100.99x
Washington
350 jobs$77,1300.78x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Science
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Learning Strategies
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Science
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Science
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Anthropologists and Archeologists82%
5 shared skills
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Astronomers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Active Learning
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Science
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Science
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Microbiologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Planning & Development (6)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
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.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Microbiologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Microbiologists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value recognition
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Microbiologists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.73
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.59
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.55
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.23
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.18
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.09
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Persistence
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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