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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 170 | $64,830 | $31.17 | |
| Alaska | 50 | $70,000 | $33.65 | |
| Arizona | 50 | $66,600 | $32.02 | |
| Arkansas | 210 | $68,180 | $32.78 | |
| California | 2,510 | $100,030 | $48.09 | |
| Colorado | 520 | $75,220 | $36.16 | |
| Connecticut | 60 | $70,120 | $33.71 | |
| Delaware | 100 | $74,300 | $35.72 | |
| Florida | 250 | $68,370 | $32.87 | |
| Georgia | 750 | $98,130 | $47.18 | |
| Hawaii | 50 | $66,780 | $32.11 | |
| Idaho | 30 | $70,140 | $33.72 | |
| Illinois | 520 | $77,830 | $37.42 | |
| Indiana | 250 | $60,290 | $28.99 | |
| Iowa | 160 | $82,540 | $39.68 | |
| Kansas | 100 | $60,300 | $28.99 | |
| Kentucky | 110 | $64,760 | $31.13 | |
| Maine | 80 | $58,020 | $27.90 | |
| Maryland | 2,190 | $100,100 | $48.13 | |
| Massachusetts | 2,740 | $118,880 | $57.15 | |
| Michigan | 330 | $79,640 | $38.29 | |
| Minnesota | 330 | $81,730 | $39.30 | |
| Missouri | 370 | $77,730 | $37.37 | |
| Montana | 100 | $101,370 | $48.73 | |
| Nebraska | 80 | $76,340 | $36.70 | |
| Nevada | 40 | $75,590 | $36.34 | |
| New Hampshire | 120 | $72,480 | $34.85 | |
| New Jersey | 1,190 | $90,550 | $43.54 | |
| New Mexico | 100 | $50,940 | $24.49 | |
| New York | 850 | $82,260 | $39.55 | |
| North Carolina | 640 | $80,240 | $38.58 | |
| North Dakota | 40 | $72,750 | $34.98 | |
| Ohio | 390 | $59,830 | $28.77 | |
| Oklahoma | 30 | $49,970 | $24.02 | |
| Oregon | 110 | $71,830 | $34.53 | |
| Pennsylvania | 840 | $61,830 | $29.73 | |
| South Carolina | 90 | $64,750 | $31.13 | |
| Tennessee | 260 | $96,520 | $46.41 | |
| Texas | 630 | $62,350 | $29.98 | |
| Utah | 130 | $62,500 | $30.05 | |
| Vermont | 40 | $69,840 | $33.58 | |
| Virginia | 140 | $77,760 | $37.38 | |
| Washington | 490 | $72,930 | $35.06 | |
| West Virginia | 50 | $68,920 | $33.14 | |
| Wisconsin | 1,000 | $70,060 | $33.69 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of submolecular and molecular components and assemblies of living systems and how they are organized into functional units such as cells and anatomic tissues. Includes instruction in glycoprotein, carbohydrate, protein, and nucleic acid structures and chemistry; cytoskeletal structure; nuclear and intracellular structures; molecular recognition; molecular chaperones; transcription and folding; multicellular organization; microtubules and microfilaments; cell differentiation; immunophysics; and DNA sequencing.
Any instructional program in cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences not listed above.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. Includes instruction in microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of subcellular pieces of genetic material, called viruses, that inhabit living cells in parasitical relationships and their role in disease. Includes instruction in virus taxonomy and systematics, viral structures, viral genetics, prions, virus/host cell interaction, viral pathogenesis, and applications to specific topics such as cancer biology.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of biological organisms living in ecologically exploitative and competitive relationships with host organisms, and the role of parasites in causing injury, disease, and environmental damage. Includes instruction in vector biology, immunoparasitology, medical parasitology, molecular biology of parasitical associations, veterinary and comparative parasitology, chemotherapeutics, and ecological and systematic parasitology.
A program that focuses on scientific study of the biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of disease, host-pathogen interactions, and host response to disease. Includes instruction in antigen and antibody structure and function, effector mechanisms, receptors, histocompatibility, host-pathogen recognition, disease modeling, autoimmune systems, antibody formation, cytotoxic responses, regulation of immune response, virulence determinants, intercellular signaling, immunosuppression, immunotherapy, immunogenetics, disease markers, transplantation, antibody humanization, and microbial pathogenesis.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them. Includes instruction in microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, pathogenic bacteriology, disease mechanisms, immunology, immunogenetics, autoimmunity, and bioinformatics.
Any instructional program in the microbiological sciences and immunology not listed above.
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$87,820 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as microbiologists.
- Less than high school 0%
- High school graduate 0%
- College dropout 0%
- Associate’s degree 0%
- Bachelor’s degree 46%
- Master’s degree 31%
- Doctorate degree 23%
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