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.
Microbiologists investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. The role reports a median annual salary of $87,330 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.47 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include life sciences, microbiology-bacteriology, botany, medical mycology, biotechnology.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £45,382 a year for Biological scientists (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2112). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Microbiologists, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification Master's degree (e.g. M.Sc) in microbiology, at least 55% (50% for reserved categories)[1]
- 2 · Entrance exam Joint CSIR-UGC NET in Life Sciences[2][1]
- 3 · First role Assistant Professor in a college or university, or Junior Research Fellow toward a PhD[2]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2025 Information Bulletin — NTA (read on 2026-09-27)
- Joint CSIR-UGC NET — National Testing Agency (read on 2026-09-27)
2 open listings on our jobs board → Recent listings whose job title matches this career. Some jobs in this career are advertised under other titles.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Administrative
A day in the life
You start the morning in the lab checking culture plates that have been growing overnight, noting the shape and colour of the colonies before picking samples to examine under the microscope. You transfer the most interesting cultures to fresh media, controlling the temperature carefully so they stay healthy. Mid-morning a batch of water samples arrives from the local health department, and you set up tests to check for harmful bacteria. After lunch you use advanced instruments to identify a strain linked to a recent illness and compare it with known species. Later you check the technicians' records and help one of them troubleshoot a contaminated sample. Writing technical reports on the results takes up the last part of the afternoon and needs precision. The work demands patience and strict sterile routines, which can feel repetitive. But it is satisfying to confirm the source of an outbreak and know your findings help protect a whole community.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually 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.
- Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Microbiologists do?
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.
What does a typical day look like in Microbiologists?
You start the morning in the lab checking culture plates that have been growing overnight, noting the shape and colour of the colonies before picking samples to examine under the microscope. You transfer the most interesting cultures to fresh media, controlling the temperature carefully so they stay healthy. Mid-morning a batch of water samples arrives from the local health department, and you set up tests to check for harmful bacteria.
How much does Microbiologists earn?
The median annual salary for Microbiologists in the US is $87,330.
What is the job outlook for Microbiologists?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 20,700 workers.
How do I become a microbiologists?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Microbiologists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include life sciences, microbiology-bacteriology, botany, medical mycology, biotechnology, virology. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Microbiologists?
Our AI-durability model gives Microbiologists a score of 0.47 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Microbiologists has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.