Occupations/19-1022.00
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.
Usually a four-year bachelor’s degree.
AI automation risk
39%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
72%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
72%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Mostly routine
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.
- Mostly human
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- 02Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- 03Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
- 04Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- 05Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- 06Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.68
- Degree of automation2.50
- Time sitting3.48
- Originality (ability)3.12
- Conflict situations2.68
- Hands-on objects/tools3.45
- Outdoors / weather1.82
- Disease exposure4.05
- Decision freedom4.00
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.25
- Written Expression4.12
- Inductive Reasoning4.12
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Category Flexibility4.00
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.12
- Active Listening3.88
- Writing4.00
- Speaking3.88
- Mathematics3.12
- Science4.62
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.88
- Learning Strategies3.62
- Monitoring3.62
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 72 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public | Soil Microbiology 01.1203 | $6,400 | 23% | 89% | 1 yr $64,493 2 yr $67,101 Master's · CIP 01.12 |
Georgetown University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $65,400 | 12% | 95% | 1 yr $52,107 2 yr $58,673 Master's · CIP 26.02 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $44,356 2 yr $45,500 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit | Soil Microbiology 01.1203 | $63,600 | 7% | 93% | 1 yr $43,240 2 yr $37,928 Bachelor's · CIP 01.12 |
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public | Soil Microbiology 01.1203 | $16,100 | 88% | 82% | 1 yr $41,464 2 yr $41,193 Bachelor's · CIP 01.12 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Soil Microbiology 01.1203 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $41,193 2 yr $32,569 Bachelor's · CIP 01.12 |
Texas State Technical College Waco, TX · Public | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $7,200 | 100% | 45% | 1 yr $39,592 2 yr $40,512 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $17,400 | 64% | 83% | 1 yr $38,937 2 yr $38,289 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |
Boston University Boston, MA · Private nonprofit | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $65,200 | 14% | 89% | 1 yr $38,289 2 yr $34,348 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |
University of Kansas Lawrence, KS · Public | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $11,400 | 88% | 67% | 1 yr $37,748 2 yr $31,848 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |
Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA · Public | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $1,200 | 100% | 39% | 1 yr $36,848 2 yr $35,060 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public | Structural Biology 26.0207 | $13,600 | 81% | 72% | 1 yr $36,042 2 yr $29,956 Bachelor's · CIP 26.02 |