Microbiologists

Summary

Microbiologists use laboratory equipment such as microscopes to study microorganisms.

Quick Facts: Microbiologists
2023 Median Pay	$85,470 per year $41.09 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education	Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2023	23,200
Job Outlook, 2023-33	7% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33	1,600

What Microbiologists Do

Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi.

Work Environment

Microbiologists work in primarily in laboratories and offices. Most work full time.

How to Become a Microbiologist

Microbiologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related field to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master's degree or Ph.D.

Pay

The median annual wage for microbiologists was $85,470 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 1,900 openings for microbiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for microbiologists.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of microbiologists with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about microbiologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Microbiologists Do About this section

Microbiologists may supervise biological technicians.

Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. They investigate the growth, structure, and other characteristics of these organisms.

Duties

Microbiologists typically do the following:

• Plan and conduct research projects, such as improving sterilization procedures or developing drugs to combat infectious diseases
• Perform laboratory experiments for a variety of purposes, such as to inform the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses
• Isolate and maintain cultures of microorganisms for study
• Identify and classify microorganisms found in specimens collected from humans, plants, animals, or the environment
• Monitor the effect of microorganisms on plants, animals, other microorganisms, or the environment
• Prepare technical reports and make recommendations based on research findings
• Attend conferences and present research findings
• Supervise biological technicians and evaluate the accuracy of their results

Microbiologists study microscopic organisms to understand how they live, grow, and interact with their environments. Microbiologists sometimes focus on particular topics and collaborate with specialists in that field. For example, a medical microbiologist may research viruses and coordinate with epidemiologists and medical scientists to control the spread of disease.

Microbiologists who work in research and development may collect samples, conduct experiments, and help create a variety of products. For example, microbiologists may aid in developing genetically engineered crops designed to prevent vitamin deficiency. Those who work in academia usually choose the focus of their research, which may include overseeing their own laboratories.

To fund their research, microbiologists may need to apply for grants. They also write reports and prepare presentations about their research.

Microbiologists use microscopes, Bunsen burners, incubators, and other types of laboratory equipment. In addition, they may use computers for tasks that involve analysis and writing.

The following are examples of types of microbiologists:

Bacteriologists study the growth, development, and other properties of bacteria, including the positive and negative effects that bacteria have on plants, animals, and humans.

Clinical microbiologists test a wide range of specimens collected from plants, humans, and animals to aid in detecting and preventing disease.

Environmental microbiologists study how microorganisms interact with ecosystems and each other.

Industrial microbiologists study how microorganisms can be used in manufacturing production processes.

Medical microbiologists study diseases, specifically focusing on how they impact microorganisms and how to diagnose, treat, and control them.

Mycologists study the properties of fungi such as yeast and mold. They research beneficial uses for, and risks of, various species of fungi.

Parasitologists study organisms that live off another organism, causing harm to it. They research the life cycle of parasites, the parasite-host relationship, and how parasites adapt to different environments.

Public health microbiologists examine microorganisms to track, control, and prevent communicable diseases and other health hazards. They typically provide laboratory services for local health departments and community health programs.

Virologists study the structure, development, and other properties of viruses and how they affect organisms.

Work Environment About this section

Microbiologists who work with dangerous organisms follow safety procedures to avoid exposure.

Microbiologists held about 23,200 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of microbiologists were as follows:

Microbiologists typically work in laboratories, offices, and industrial or academic settings. Some microbiologists travel to collect samples from the field, which may require working outdoors in a variety of settings. Microbiologists who work with dangerous organisms follow safety procedures to avoid exposure.

In addition, the uncertainty of financial support for research may be stressful. Microbiologists often depend on funding from grants, which are awarded through a highly competitive selection process.

Work Schedules

Most microbiologists work full time.

How to Become a Microbiologist About this section

Microbiologists study the growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms such as viruses.

Microbiologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related field to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree or Ph.D.

Education

Microbiologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related field, such as biology.

Microbiology study includes courses such as microbial genetics, environmental microbiology, and virology. Students also may be required to take courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Undergraduate microbiology programs typically include laboratory experience, which helps students learn how to work with the equipment they will encounter on the job. Students also may gain laboratory and other practical experience by participating in internships.

A master’s degree or Ph.D. may be helpful or required for some positions. Graduate programs allow students to learn more complex topics or focus on an area of specialization, such as bacteriology or immunology. Degree requirements vary, but Ph.D. programs usually include completing a thesis or dissertation.

Training

After completing their studies, Ph.D. holders often enter postdoctoral research positions. Postdoctoral work involves developing a broader understanding of a specialization, which typically culminates in publication of their research findings.

Advancement

Some microbiologists move into managerial positions, often as natural sciences managers. Others become postsecondary teachers, which typically requires a Ph.D. and postdoctoral research experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some employers prefer to hire microbiologists who have earned certification, which is typically not required otherwise. Microbiologist certifications are available for a variety of specialties. For example, the American Society for Clinical Pathology offers certification that may be helpful for clinical microbiologists.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Microbiologists must be able to effectively communicate the results of their research, both orally and in writing.

Detail oriented. Microbiologists must conduct scientific experiments and analyses with precision, including monitoring and recording the conditions, processes, and results of their work.

Interpersonal skills. Microbiologists often work on research teams and must collaborate with others. They also lead research projects, which may involve managing technicians.

Logical-thinking skills. Microbiologists draw conclusions from experiments by using reasoning and judgment to interpret the results.

Perseverance. Microbiologists must persist in the trial-and-error demands of research. They should be motivated to avoid becoming discouraged in their work.

Problem-solving skills. Microbiologists conduct experiments and analyze results to find solutions to scientific problems.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for microbiologists was $85,470 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,070, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $147,470.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for microbiologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most microbiologists work full time.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 1,900 openings for microbiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Microbiologists are expected to be needed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies develop new drugs that are produced with the aid of microorganisms. In addition, demand for biofuels production is expected to increase the need for microbiologists to conduct advanced research and development in these areas. Efforts to discover new and improved ways to preserve the environment and safeguard public health also are expected to support demand for these workers.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Microbiologists

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about microbiologists, visit

American Society for Microbiology

International Union of Microbiological Societies

Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

To find job openings for microbiologists in the federal government, visit

USAJOBS

For general information about careers and specialties in biological sciences, visit

American Institute of Biological Sciences

The American Society for Cell Biology

American Society for Clinical Pathology

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

O*NET

Microbiologists