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Microbiologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science · SOC 19-1022
9.7% AI Exposure — Medium
$87,990
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
2,100
Proj. Annual Openings
18,940
Employment (OEWS 2025)
90/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure9.7%
AI Resiliency90/100
Exposure BandMedium
Sector Avg. Exposure13.2%
Top Skills
1.Science
2.Reading Comprehension
3.Writing
4.Active Listening
5.Critical Thinking
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist
Representative Tasks
- •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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations.
- •Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
- •Analyze biological samples.
- •Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
- •Inspect condition of natural environments.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft PowerPoint · hotMicrosoft Access · hotBD Biosciences CellQuestComputer Service & Support CLS-2000 Laboratory SystemDatabase management softwareOrchard Software Orchard Harvest LISProtein ExplorerTreeViewVerity Software House ModFit LT
Related Occupations
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
12.1%
Avg AI Exposure
8
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 9.7% | 13.2% |
| Outlook | Average | 46% Bright |
| Median Salary | $87,990 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 90/100 | N/A |