Microbiologists earn a median of $87,990 per year ($42.30/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 6.2% through 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-1022
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Microbiologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $87,990a year, or $42.30/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $55KTop 10% $150K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.2%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,50020,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202520.1K
- Projected 203521.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 20.1K Projected 2035 21.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's9.1%
- Bachelor's63.6%
- Post-bacc certificate9.1%
- Master's13.6%
- Post-doctoral training4.6%
Highest education held by microbiologists Segment Value Associate's 9.1% Bachelor's 63.6% Post-bacc certificate 9.1% Master's 13.6% Post-doctoral training 4.6%
Also advertised as: Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist.
Pay
How much do Microbiologists make?
Every microbiologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$87,990
Middle half earn $67,100 to $122,350
- 10th
- $54,670
- 25th
- $67,100
- 75th
- $122,350
- 90th
- $150,000
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $54,670 |
| 25th | $67,100 |
| Median | $87,990 |
| 75th | $122,350 |
| 90th | $150,000 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $87,990
- Median hourly wage
- $42.30/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $97,600
- People employed
- 18,940
Versus all US occupations
At $87,990, Microbiologists earn 73% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $37,010 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 7% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $150,000 or more while the bottom 10% earn $54,670, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 65% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Massachusetts pays the most at $122,350, and still leads at $115,690 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Microbiologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Massachusetts | $122,350 | $115,690 | 1,960 |
| 2California | $108,530 | $98,022 | 2,600 |
| 3Maryland | $108,470 | $103,345 | 1,590 |
| 4Georgia | $103,070 | $107,038 | 880 |
| 5New Jersey | $96,020 | $88,250 | 790 |
| 6Illinois | $92,050 | $92,089 | 1,470 |
| 7Oregon | $89,220 | $86,319 | 170 |
| 8Montana | $87,750 | $92,715 | 80 |
| 9Connecticut | $86,360 | $83,351 | 180 |
| 10North Carolina | $85,860 | $91,025 | 1,050 |
Job outlook
Is Microbiologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Microbiologists | +6.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Microbiologists to change 6.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,500 openings are projected each year, 7.5% of the 20,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
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.
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 sustain the need for microbiologists to conduct advanced research and development. Efforts to discover new and improved ways to preserve the environment and safeguard public health also are expected to support demand for these workers.
Getting in
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as microbiologists.
- Bachelor's Degree63.6%
- Master's Degree13.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9.1%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9.1%
- Post-Doctoral Training4.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 63.6% |
| Master's Degree | 13.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 9.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 9.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Microbiologist do?
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 study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. They investigate the growth, structure, and other characteristics of these organisms.
Day-to-day tasks
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
- 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.
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- 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.
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most microbiologists work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where microbiologists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences21%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals20%
- Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing14%
- Testing laboratories and services11%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 21% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 20% |
| Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing | 14% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 11% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Science4.6
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Science | 4.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser software
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Microbiologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Microbiologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative7.0
- Realistic5.3
- Conventional3.9
- Social2.0
- Artistic1.9
- Enterprising1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Microbiologist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists
$103,410median a year
Most earn $65K to $178K
+12.6%Doctorate - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with microbiologists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Microbiologist$87,990
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within microbiologist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Microbiologist appears on
Questions
Microbiologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Microbiologists make?
Microbiologists earn a median of $87,990 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 73% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $42.30/hr. The middle half earn between $67,100 and $122,350. The top 10% earn $150,000 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Microbiologist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Microbiologists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 63.6% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Microbiologist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.2% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Microbiologist do?
Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. A core O*NET task: isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Microbiologists the most?
The highest state medians for Microbiologists are Massachusetts ($122,350), California ($108,530), Maryland ($108,470) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Microbiologist?
O*NET scores Microbiologists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTJ, ISTP, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.