Microbiologists
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.
Also called: Bacteriologist · Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) · Clinical Microbiologist · Medical Technologist · Microbiological Analyst · Microbiologist
Median pay (national)
$87,330
$51,220–$150,650 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
19,760
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.1%
~1,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for microbiologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $150,650 versus $51,220 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $87,330 leaves roughly 73% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.1% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 43 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $126,260, +45% vs the national median), while Alabama sits lowest at $55,600 — a 127% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Science, Reading Comprehension, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to Microbiologists
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Microbiologists
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- Assistant Software for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Interpretation ASASI
- Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
- BD Biosciences CellQuest
- BD Biosciences CloneCyt
- Bruker Optics OPUS
- BtB Software Mycobacteriology Lab
- Codon Usage Database
- ComBase
- Computer Service & Support CLS-2000 Laboratory System
- Computing Solutions LabSoft LIMS Micro
Knowledge areas
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Administrative