Microbiologist

Explore This Path

Explore the unseen world of microbes and their impact on health and the environment.
Contribute to medical advancements by studying microorganisms and their interactions.
Discover how tiny organisms influence ecosystems and human well-being.

💰 Earn $82K-$130K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 6.7% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll 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.

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Bachelor Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

Over 4 years

Job Openings

1,900 Annually

Median Earnings

$102,570 in California

$85,470 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Microbiologist? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@andybojaca

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Receiving recognition

Deep Dive

Microbiologist

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years