Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Microbiologists

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $87,990 Median per year · $42.30/hr Most earn $54,670–$150,000

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
  • Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.

Job outlook

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 1,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences20.7%
  • Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing14.0%
  • Testing laboratories and services11.0%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools9.7%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service9.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Microbiologist is reachable with a bachelor's degree. Most people spend about 6 months to 1 year in an entry-level lab job before taking on microbiologist work, so the full path from starting college usually takes about 5 to 6 years.

  1. Bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, or a related science

    4 years

    You learn how microbes work, how to run lab experiments safely, and how to read scientific papers, which are the core skills the job needs.

  2. Biological Technician

    6 months to 1 year

    You run lab tests, grow cultures, keep careful records, and follow lab procedures under a scientist's direction, which builds the hands-on experience employers look for.

  3. Microbiologist

    Ongoing

    You investigate how microorganisms grow, spread, and affect people, plants, or the environment, and you design and run your own experiments.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Microbiologist

    3 to 5 years of experience first

    You take on more complex projects, mentor newer staff, and often lead parts of a research or testing program.

  2. Medical Scientist

    6 to 8 years of experience first

    You move toward research on diseases and treatments, which usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and mathThese classes give you the foundation for understanding microbes and for the lab math you will use later.
  • Enter a science fairDesigning your own experiment, such as testing which household cleaners kill bacteria, teaches you the scientific method.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or science museumSeeing lab or science work up close helps you decide whether this career fits you.
  • Get a part-time job or tutoring roleWork that needs careful attention to detail, like a pharmacy or grocery job, builds reliability that labs value.
  • Join a science or biology clubClubs give you teamwork practice and a chance to work on projects with teachers and peers.

In college

  • Major in microbiology or biologyA microbiology major gives you direct coursework in bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which is the core knowledge for this job.
  • Join an undergraduate research labWorking alongside a professor gives you real lab experience and a reference that employers and graduate programs value.
  • Apply for a lab internship or campus lab jobPaid lab work during school counts toward the hands-on experience that most microbiologist roles need.
  • Take statistics and a computer science or data analysis classLab work produces lots of data, and knowing how to analyze it makes you more useful to employers.
  • Get lab safety or biosafety trainingMany labs require this training, and having it on your resume shows you can work safely with microorganisms from the start.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for paid or volunteer lab work during college, such as a campus research lab, a hospital lab, or a public health lab. Hands-on experience matters a lot for this career.
  • Get comfortable with lab safety rules and basic lab tools like pipettes, microscopes, and sterile technique, since employers often expect these skills from day one.
  • Talk with a microbiology or biology professor about undergraduate research. It can lead to a reference letter and helps you see whether you enjoy the daily work.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers