Microbiologists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Microbiologists fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Microbiologists earn a median salary of $87,330 per year, ranking in the top 19% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do microbiologists earn?

The median annual wage for microbiologists is $87,330. That puts microbiologists at #155 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is microbiologists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for microbiologists is +4.1%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 20K positions in 2024 to 21K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do microbiologists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working microbiologists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
2. 2.Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
3. 3.Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
4. 4.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.
5. 5.Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
6. 6.Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
7. 7.Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
8. 8.Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

Top skills for microbiologists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become microbiologist?

The standard path into microbiologists begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about microbiologists