# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microbiologists
- SOC code: 19-1022.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $87,990 (10th percentile $54,670, 90th percentile $150,000)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.2%
- Openings a year: 1,500
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 72 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 15 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 1 |
| Conventional (C) | 48 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 84/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 83/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 82/100)
- Getting Information (importance 82/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 81/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 81/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 80/100)
- Processing Information (importance 79/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 77/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 75/100)

## Skills

Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Writing, Active Learning, Active Listening, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Learning Strategies

## Knowledge

Biology, Chemistry, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Education and Training, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Administrative, Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2602) (CIP 2602, 756 colleges)
- [Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2604) (CIP 2604, 182 colleges)
- [Microbiological Sciences and Immunology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2605) (CIP 2605, 169 colleges)
- Soil Sciences (CIP 0112, 40 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $48,738 | $117,816 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | not reported | $103,546 | $14,935 |
| [Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312) | Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $36,472 | $92,646 | not reported |
| [University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-barbara-ucsb-2888) | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $61,491 | $90,694 | $5,765 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $60,938 | $90,612 | $17,817 |
| [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville-main-campus-2761) | Soil Sciences | $42,016 | $88,563 | not reported |
| [University of California-Santa Cruz](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-cruz-2889) | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $52,133 | $88,305 | $15,000 |
| [University of New Hampshire-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-new-hampshire-main-campus-2980) | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $57,626 | $87,075 | $25,125 |

## Related careers

- [Biochemists and Biophysicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biochemists-and-biophysicists): $127,410 median pay
- [Biological Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biological-technicians): $57,510 median pay
- [Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-scientists-except-epidemiologists): $103,410 median pay
- [Histotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Geneticists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geneticists): $98,920 median pay
- [Chemists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemists): $91,240 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.