How to Become a Microbiologist
Study bacteria, viruses, and fungi to advance medicine, food safety, and biotechnology. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $87,990 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$87,990/yr
Middle half
$67,100 to $122,350
Job growth
About average
Openings / yr
1,700
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Culturing Techniques
- Microscopy
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Technical Writing
Helpful certifications
- ASCP certification (clinical track)
- RM (NRCM Registered Microbiologist)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
8/100
Work-life balance
57/100
Stress level
59/100
Related careers
- Physicist$172,250 median
- Natural Sciences Manager$167,220 median
- Astronomer$128,820 median
- Biochemist$127,410 median
- Biostatistician$105,650 median
- Statistician$105,650 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Microbiologist make?
The median pay for a Microbiologist is $87,990 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $67,100 and $122,350 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Microbiologist?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Microbiology, Biology, and Biochemistry.
Is Microbiologist a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is about average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 1,700 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Microbiologist use most?
Common skills for this role are Culturing Techniques, Microscopy, Science, Critical Thinking, and Technical Writing.
Planning to become a Microbiologist?
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).