Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Microbiologists
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- 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 the human, plant, and animal health.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using a microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, for community environmental health programs, and for physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Microbiologists supervise biological technologists and technicians, and other scientists. They investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
A typical day for a Microbiologist will also include:
- Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to the human, plant, and animal health.
- Use a variety of specialized equipment such as electron microscopes, gas chromatograph, and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
- Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
- 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, for community environmental health programs, and for physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Microbiologists also prepare technical reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes. They may also research the use of bacteria and microorganisms to develop vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, grain alcohol, sugars, and polymers.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Microbiologists use a variety of specialized equipment such as electron microscopes, gas chromatograph, and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers. They might also study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
In addition, they examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using a microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
To some Microbiologists, it is also their responsibility to 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.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
64% said they were satisfied with their job and 69% said they found their job meaningful.
My name is Daniela and I’m a clinical licensed scientist that works in both Microbiology and Molecular genetics.
Being a licensed scientist allows me to work in ANY type of laboratory in the United States. I can work in pharmaceutical companies, research, clinical and more!
In the clinical laboratory, my responsibilities are to detect, isolate, and identify infectious diseases caused by microorganisms. I will also do readings of cultures and gram stains on blood, respiratory, tissues, sterile, and non-sterile body fluids. Once I know the type of bacterial organism is causing an infection for a patient I will perform and read susceptibility testing by using Kirby-Bauer, E-Test, and/ or Vitek and MicroScan. These testings will help determine which drugs are most effective to treat infections. Once results are ready, they are input into a laboratory information system also known as LIS. It’s where all testing results are located for your doctor to see. From there, the results contain the name(s) of the bacterial infection and which drug(s) will perform the best. Doctors then factor in patients’ history and any drug interactions and prescribe antibiotics from our findings.
It’s always a busy day. I’m not just a microbiologist, I have to maintain instruments just like how a mechanic has to change a car’s oil. If an instrument goes down, it can delay the resulting outcome. We have to be mindful of any extreme temperature changes because this can affect how the instrument functions. We now have to factor in a pandemic and this uses a lot of our resources and staff. So instead of being only responsible for our typical microbiology day in the lab, we have to focus on how to keep the laboratory running to serve our patients and SARS-CoV-2. It is a very exhausting year, some days are good, other days we have to help each other push through it.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who want recognition and wants career advancement and a prestigious career.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Microbiologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $45,690 to $58,800 per year or $22 to $28 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $156,360 | $75 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $119,770 | $58 |
| Median | $84,400 | $41 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $58,800 | $28 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $45,690 | $22 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Microbiologists based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $119860 | $57.62 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $110670 | $53.21 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $99140 | $47.66 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $82730 | $39.77 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $82670 | $39.75 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $82340 | $39.59 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $80570 | $38.74 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $80420 | $38.66 |
| Local Government | $79690 | $38.31 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $79490 | $38.21 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Microbiologists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Microbiologists including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 6540 | $110670 | $53.21 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 2560 | $82670 | $39.75 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 2120 | $119860 | $57.62 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 1550 | $63540 | $30.55 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 1430 | $63530 | $30.55 |
| State Government | 1270 | $64930 | $31.21 |
| Employment Services | 980 | $ | $* |
| Local Government | 670 | $79690 | $38.31 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 300 | $80420 | $38.66 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 290 | $82340 | $39.59 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Virology
Parasitology
Immunology
Microbiology and Immunology
Structural Biology
Microbiology
Soil Microbiology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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