Career Overview
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 Known As
- Bacteriologist
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
- Microbiological Analyst
- Microbiologist
Alternate Job Titles
- Bacteriologist
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
- Clinical Microbiologist
- Cytologist
- Electron Microscopist
- Medical Lab Scientist (Medical Laboratory Scientist)
- Medical Microbiologist
- Medical Technologist
- Microbiological Analyst
- Microbiologist
- Microbiology Analyst
- Microbiology Scientist
- Microbiology Specialist
- Microscopist
- Pharmaceutical Microbiologist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection and interpret the results.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
- Information Ordering
- Flexibility of Closure
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Innovation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Recognition
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- 8-channel electronic pipettes
- Alcohol lamps
- Anaerobic growth chambers
- Analytical balances
- Argon lasers
- Autoclaves
- Automated gram stainers
- Automated microbial identification systems
- Automatic cell sorters
- Automatic coverslipper
- Automatic pipetters
- Bacteriological incubators
- Bacticinerators
- Bioaerosol impactors
- Biological safety hoods
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $51,220 |
| Median | $87,330 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $150,650 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 19,760
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $103,650
Biological Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $52,000
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $100,590
Histotechnologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Geneticists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $93,330
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.