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.

Most important skills

Science
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning
Judgment and Decision Making

Key knowledge

Biology
Chemistry
English Language
Computers and Electronics
Education and Training
Mathematics
Engineering and Technology
Administrative

What the work involves

Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (63.6% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (36.4%)
On-the-job training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months (45.5%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Microbiologists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 86% of occupations compared	55% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Low	Lower on dealing with the public than 68% of occupations compared	36% of surveyed respondents chose “Important”
Teamwork	Low	Lower on teamwork than 64% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	Low	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 63% of occupations compared	45% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	High	Higher on time pressure than 72% of occupations compared	41% of surveyed respondents chose “Every day”
Conflict situations	Low	Lower on conflict situations than 60% of occupations compared	41% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 69% of occupations compared	36% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Very high	Higher on consequence of error than 86% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: high
Conflict situations: low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: low
Consequence of error: very high

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions