Microbiologist Salary
$67,550
Job Growth
2/5
Competition
Challenging
Education
Bachelors
Overview: What does a Microbiologist do?
Microbiologists investigate the growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Most microbiologists specialize in environmental, food, agricultural, or industrial microbiology; virology (the study of viruses); or immunology (the study of mechanisms that fight infections). Many microbiologists use biotechnology to advance knowledge of cell reproduction and human disease. A Ph.D. degree usually is required for independent research, but a master’s degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research or product development; a bachelor’s degree is adequate for some non-research jobs.
Resources to become a Microbiologist
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| Advancement Opportunities: 123% of Average This calculation shows your opportunity for increases in earnings over time. It shows the relative strength of different careers as compared to each other |
| Average Starting Median income: $67,550 |
| Return on Educational Investment: 113% of Average Shows the relative return on investment of an education beyond high school. The calculation uses potential earning levels over time adjusted for the cost and the time of additional education. |
| Job Growth: 2/5 |
| Benefits: Yes |
| All scores range from 1-100. Higher scores are better with the exception of stress. |
| Bragging rights: 78/100 Based on prestige and social approval, fame and public recognition, high income, highly educated, clean versus “dirty” industry, and level of people you deal with. |
| Interesting Job: 80/100 Based on exciting subject or environment, variety of activities, fun interaction with people, creating versus completing, and learning interesting things. |
| Personal Freedom: 63/100 Based on controlling your work, not closely managed, choosing your assignments, tolerable rules and regulations, creative freedom, and setting your own hours. |
| Stress: 88/100 Based on Intense responsibility (life/death), continuous rejection, dealing with people’s problems, lack of control, quota or sales pressure, and work volume/time pressure. |
| Years to make $1,000,000 - 18 Years |
| Years to make $2,000,000 - 29 Years |
| Years to make $3,000,000 - 39 Years |
