Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Microbiologists
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.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 55% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +6.2% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $87,990
- Job growth to 2035
- +6.2%
- Openings a year
- 1,500
- People doing it (2025)
- 20,100
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Research biological or ecological phenomena
- Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data
- Present research or technical information
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Prepare specimens or materials for testing
- Supervise personnel activities
- Operate laboratory or field equipment
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Food scientists and technologistsGrows with AI, Index 61, +6.2%
- Electrical engineersGrows with AI, Index 59, +9.9%
- Agricultural engineersGrows with AI, Index 66, +6.9%
- Materials engineersGrows with AI, Index 61, +7.5%
Also known as: Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist, Clinical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Public Health Microbiologist, Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist).
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.