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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.
Communication skills. Microbiologists should be able to effectively communicate their research processes and findings so that knowledge may be applied correctly.
Detail oriented. Microbiologists must be able to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision.
Interpersonal skills. Microbiologists typically work on research teams and thus must work well with others toward a common goal. Many also lead research teams and must be able to motivate and direct other team members.
Logical-thinking skills. Microbiologists draw conclusions from experimental results through sound reasoning and judgment.
Math skills. Microbiologists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas in their work. Therefore, they need a broad understanding of math, including calculus and statistics.
Observation skills. Microbiologists must constantly monitor their experiments. They need to keep a complete, accurate record of their work, noting conditions, procedures, and results.
Perseverance. Microbiological research involves substantial trial and error, and microbiologists must not become discouraged in their work.
Problem-solving skills. Microbiologists use scientific experiments and analysis to find solutions to complex scientific problems.
Time-management skills. Microbiologists usually need to meet deadlines when conducting research and laboratory tests. They must be able to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently while maintaining their quality of work.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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96% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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90% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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89% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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88% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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78% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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75% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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75% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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75% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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74% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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70% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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70% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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65% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
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100% | Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. | |
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61% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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72% | Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
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67% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
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67% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
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61% | Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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81% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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81% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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78% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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75% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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75% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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75% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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75% | Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |
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75% | Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. | |
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72% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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72% | Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). | |
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72% | Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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75% | Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. | |
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71% | Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. | |
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68% | Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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100% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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99% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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97% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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94% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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93% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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88% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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82% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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82% | Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections? | |
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79% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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79% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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73% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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72% | Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? | |
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72% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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71% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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71% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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68% | Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting? | |
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68% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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65% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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65% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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72% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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89% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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88% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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87% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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84% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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83% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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83% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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82% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. | |
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81% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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79% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. | |
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78% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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75% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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73% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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72% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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71% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites. They try to understand how these organisms live, grow, and interact with their environments.
Microbiologists typically do the following:
Many microbiologists work in research and development conducting basic research or applied research. The aim of basic research is to increase scientific knowledge. An example is growing strains of bacteria in various conditions to learn how they react to those conditions. Other microbiologists conduct applied research and develop new products to solve particular problems. For example, microbiologists may aid in the development of genetically engineered crops, better biofuels, or new vaccines.
Microbiologists use computers and a wide variety of sophisticated laboratory instruments to do their experiments. Electron microscopes are used to study bacteria, and advanced computer software is used to analyze the growth of microorganisms found in samples.
It is increasingly common for microbiologists to work on teams with technicians and scientists in other fields, because many scientific research projects involve multiple disciplines. Microbiologists may work with medical scientists or molecular biologists while researching new drugs, or they may work in medical diagnostic laboratories alongside physicians and nurses to help prevent, treat, and cure diseases.
The following are examples of types of microbiologists:
Bacteriologists study the growth, development, and other properties of bacteria, including the positive and negative effects that bacteria have on plants, animals, and humans.
Clinical microbiologists perform a wide range of clinical laboratory tests on specimens collected from plants, humans, and animals to aid in detection of disease. Clinical and medical microbiologists whose work involves directly researching human health may be classified as medical scientists.
Environmental microbiologists study how microorganisms interact with the environment and each other. They may study the use of microbes to clean up areas contaminated by heavy metals or study how microbes could aid crop growth.
Industrial microbiologists study and solve problems related to industrial production processes. They may examine microbial growth found in the pipes of a chemical factory, monitor the impact industrial waste has on the local ecosystem, or oversee the microbial activities used in cheese production to ensure quality.
Mycologists study the properties of fungi such as yeast and mold. They also study the ways fungi can be used to benefit society (for example, in food or the environment) and the risks fungi may pose.
Parasitologists study the life cycle of parasites, the parasite-host relationship, and how parasites adapt to different environments. They may investigate the outbreak and control of parasitic diseases such as malaria.
Public health microbiologists examine specimens to track, control, and prevent communicable diseases and other health hazards. They typically provide laboratory services for local health departments and community health programs.
Virologists study the structure, development, and other properties of viruses and any effects viruses have on infected organisms.
Many people with a microbiology background become high school teachers or postsecondary teachers.
Microbiologists held about 20,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of microbiologists were as follows:
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 28% |
| Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing | 15 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 11 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 6 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 6 |
Microbiologists typically work in laboratories, offices, and industrial settings where they conduct experiments and analyze the results. Microbiologists who work with dangerous organisms must follow strict safety procedures to avoid contamination. Some microbiologists may conduct onsite visits or collect samples from the environment or worksites, and, as a result, may travel occasionally and spend some time outside.
Basic researchers who work in academia usually choose the focus of their research and run their own laboratories. Applied researchers who work for companies study the products that the company will sell or suggest modifications to the production process so that the company can become more efficient. Basic researchers often need to fund their research by winning grants. These grants often put pressure on researchers to meet deadlines and other specifications. Research grants are generally awarded through a competitive selection process.
Most microbiologists work full time and keep regular hours.
Microbiologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related field for entry-level jobs. They typically need a Ph.D. to work in research or in colleges and universities.
Microbiologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related field, such as biology or natural resources, that provides substantial coursework in microbiology.
Microbiology study usually includes courses in microbial genetics, microbial physiology, environmental microbiology, and virology. Students also may benefit from taking courses in other sciences, such as biochemistry, chemistry, and physics; in statistics and mathematics; and in computer science.
Prospective microbiologists also need to work in a laboratory, which is required in most undergraduate microbiology programs. Students may gain additional laboratory experience through internships with companies, such as drug manufacturers, in which microbiologists are employed.
Microbiologists typically need a Ph.D. to work on independent research or in colleges and universities. Graduate students studying microbiology commonly specialize in a subfield, such as bacteriology or immunology. Ph.D. programs usually include class work, laboratory research, and completing a thesis or dissertation.
Many microbiology Ph.D. holders begin their careers in temporary postdoctoral research positions. During their postdoctoral appointment, they work with experienced scientists as they continue to learn about their specialties and develop a broader understanding of related areas of research.
Postdoctoral positions typically offer the opportunity to publish research findings. A solid record of published research is essential to getting a permanent college or university faculty position.
Microbiologists typically receive greater responsibility and independence in their work as they gain experience. They also gain greater responsibility through certification and higher education. Ph.D. microbiologists usually lead research teams and control the direction and content of projects.
Some microbiologists move into managerial positions, often as natural sciences managers. Those who pursue management careers spend much of their time on administrative tasks, such as preparing budgets and schedules.
Certifications are not mandatory for the majority of work done by microbiologists. However, certifications are available for clinical microbiologists and for those who specialize in the fields of food safety and quality and pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Certification may help workers gain employment in the occupation or advance to new positions of responsibility.
Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,700 openings for microbiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Microbiologists are expected to be needed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies develop new drugs that are produced with the aid of microorganisms. In addition, demand for biofuels production is expected to increase the need for microbiologists to conduct advanced research and development in these areas. Efforts to discover new and improved ways to preserve the environment and safeguard public health also are expected to support demand for these workers.
For more information about microbiologists, visit
American Society for Microbiology
International Union of Microbiological Societies
Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
To find job openings for microbiologists in the federal government, visit
For general information about careers and specialties in biological sciences, visit
American Institute of Biological Sciences
The American Society for Cell Biology
American Society for Clinical Pathology
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
For more information about microbiological topics, visit
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of microbiologists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Agricultural and Food Scientists |
Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. |
Bachelor's degree | $74,940 |
|
Biochemists and Biophysicists |
Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $103,810 |
|
Biological Technicians |
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments. |
Bachelor's degree | $49,650 |
|
Conservation Scientists and Foresters |
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources. |
Bachelor's degree | $64,420 |
|
Environmental Scientists and Specialists |
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. |
Bachelor's degree | $76,480 |
|
Geoscientists |
Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth. |
Bachelor's degree | $87,480 |
|
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians |
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. |
Bachelor's degree | $57,380 |
|
Medical Scientists |
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $99,930 |
|
Natural Sciences Managers |
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. |
Bachelor's degree | $144,440 |
|
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists |
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems. |
Bachelor's degree | $67,430 |