Microbiologists

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics · Science and Mathematics

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 19-1022.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

$58k10th$81kMedian$114k90th

New workers start near $58,010; experienced workers reach $113,900. About 90 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.

Job outlook

Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.

Employment change: +16.1%; Alamo region, 93 to 108 jobs · U.S. +4%
Openings a year: 10; in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 1,700
Employed in 2024: 93; in the Alamo region · U.S. 20,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.

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Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Science5.0
Reading Comprehension5.1
Writing4.9
Critical Thinking4.6
Active Learning4.5
Active Listening4.1
Speaking4.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.9

What the work is

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.

Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

Associate degree9%
Bachelor's degree73%
Master's degree14%
Doctoral or professional5%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

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