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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.
Other titles employers use
Bacteriologist · Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) · Clinical Microbiologist · Medical Technologist · Microbiological Analyst · Microbiologist · Public Health Microbiologist · Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.5 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 64%
- A master's degree 23%
- A two-year degree 9%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Operating system software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,500
- Job openings each year
- 280
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 9.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,500 | 280 | 9.4% |
| Maryland | 2,300 | 180 | 9.0% |
| New Jersey | 1,520 | 120 | 7.0% |
| Wisconsin | 1,050 | 90 | 20.7% |
| New York | 1,000 | 10 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 990 | 80 | 16.5% |
| Massachusetts | 900 | 70 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 860 | 70 | 4.9% |
| North Carolina | 780 | 60 | 14.7% |
| Illinois | 770 | 60 | 8.5% |
| Georgia | 730 | 50 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 710 | 50 | 6.0% |
| Colorado | 600 | 50 | 17.6% |
| Minnesota | 590 | 50 | 5.4% |
| Washington | 490 | 50 | 14.0% |
| Tennessee | 350 | 30 | 20.7% |
| Florida | 330 | 30 | 17.9% |
| Michigan | 330 | 20 | 3.1% |
| Missouri | 280 | 20 | 3.7% |
| New Hampshire | 250 | 20 | 13.6% |
| Puerto Rico | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Arkansas | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Utah | 210 | 20 | 31.3% |
| Idaho | 180 | 20 | 20.0% |
| Iowa | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Virginia | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Alabama | 160 | 10 | — |
| Indiana | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| South Carolina | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Delaware | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Kansas | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Kentucky | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Arizona | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Oregon | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Nebraska | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| New Mexico | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Montana | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| North Dakota | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Nevada | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| South Dakota | 50 | 0 | — |
| Vermont | 40 | 0 | — |
| Alaska | 30 | 0 | — |
| Mississippi | 30 | 0 | — |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 0 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 588
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 947
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 819
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 504
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Brigham Young University
- Degrees each year
- 204
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 285
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Degrees each year
- 245
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Compare every college offering microbiological sciences and immunology