Soil and Plant Scientists
Median wage · national
$78,850
Range: $62K – $104K
Employed
16K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HEALTH
Microbiologist
Microbiologist earn $87,990 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $67,100 and $122,350. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Microbiologist
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.
- Median Wage
- $87,990
- Employed Nationally
- 19K
- Openings / Year
- 1,700
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Bacteriologist
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
Clinical Microbiologist
Cytologist
Electron Microscopist
How Much Do Microbiologists Make?
Microbiologist earn $87,990 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,100 and $122,350. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$87,990
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$67K–$122K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$67,100
Entry-level
$87,990
Median
$122,350
Experienced
What Do Microbiologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Microbiologist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- 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.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Science
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Microbiologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for Microbiologists?
The BLS projects +4.1% employment change for Microbiologist through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 1,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
1,700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
19K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Microbiologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $87,990 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,510 | $107,380 | +22.0% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 2,110 | $126,260 | +43.5% |
| 3 | Maryland | 2,040 | $101,060 | +14.9% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 1,320 | $82,170 | -6.6% |
| 5 | New York | 1,090 | $85,850 | -2.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Microbiologist positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biochemistry & Biophysics | 14,354 | $65,466 | 763 |
| 2 | Cell Biology | 6,274 | $66,697 | 196 |
| 3 | Microbiology | 4,815 | $62,582 | 201 |
| 4 | Soil Sciences | 439 | $62,122 | 41 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Microbiologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Microbiologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Microbiologist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Microbiologist Pros & Cons
The data on Microbiologist shows 3 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $87,990 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.1% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $122,350 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $87,990 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $67,100 is considerably below the $87,990 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Microbiologist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Microbiologist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Microbiologist is $87,990, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,100 and $122,350. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Microbiologist a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $87,990 median, with +4.1% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Microbiologist?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Biochemistry & Biophysics are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $87,990 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Microbiologist?
The BLS projects +4.1% employment change for Microbiologist through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 1,700 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 19K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Microbiologist salaries vary so widely?
The $55,250 gap between the 25th ($67,100) and 75th ($122,350) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Microbiologist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Microbiologist roles: Science, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
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- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
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- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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