As a microbiologist, I work closely with infectious disease and study things that most people don’t like to talk about (wound cultures, sputum, urine, etc.). I receive specimens from the hospital and then I spend most of my day reading those cultures to help solve patients’ problems. I also spend time working with our instruments, including troubleshooting the machines when they start to fail.
CAREER
Microbiologists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$79,260
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+9% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Microbiologists 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.
Other Job Titles Microbiologists May Have
Bacteriologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist, Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist)
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My days are dedicated to ensuring the safety of medical devices through rigorous testing. Each day brings a new challenge, whether it's drafting protocols, testing devices like needles for sterility, or analyzing microorganism growth in the lab. I love working with bacteria—the way they grow, the shapes they take—it’s like forming a unique relationship. Knowing my work impacts patient safety and contributes to life-saving innovations is deeply rewarding.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Microbiologists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (48%)
Bachelor's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Majors Related to Career
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
There are a lot of different areas of lab work that you can really get into. Microbiology is where I felt the best, but I recommend trying out the different areas to see what works the best for you. You can be a generalist as a lab worker, so you'll get to touch a bunch of different fields which is great!
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
