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Biotechnologist vs microbiologist

The differences between biotechnologists and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a biotechnologist, becoming a microbiologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a microbiologist has an average salary of $54,620, which is higher than the $54,160 average annual salary of a biotechnologist.

The top three skills for a biotechnologist include R, GMP and DNA. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.

Biotechnologist vs microbiologist overview

BiotechnologistMicrobiologist
Yearly salary$54,160$54,620
Hourly rate$26.04$26.26
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs10,86211,444
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4040
Years of experience42

Biotechnologist vs microbiologist salary

Biotechnologists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

BiotechnologistMicrobiologist
Average salary$54,160$54,620
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $80,000Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySilver Spring, MDBoston, MA
Highest paying stateConnecticutMassachusetts
Best paying companyAbbVieBattelle
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between biotechnologist and microbiologist education

There are a few differences between a biotechnologist and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:

BiotechnologistMicrobiologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityStanford University

Biotechnologist vs microbiologist demographics

Here are the differences between biotechnologists' and microbiologists' demographics:

BiotechnologistMicrobiologist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 13.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 13.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%10%

Differences between biotechnologist and microbiologist duties and responsibilities

Biotechnologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage laboratories and perform clinical research in diabetic and thyroid disease states.
  • Perform standard PCR assays for research group.
  • Purify enzymes using gravity, low pressure liquid chromatography, and AKTA FPLC.
  • Participate in semi-annual proficiency testing for forensic casework (CTS) and proficiency testing for engraftment monitoring (ASHI).
  • Quantify the final product form using solvent extraction and normal phase HPLC.
  • Maintain documentation and batch records in accordance with ISO and CE-IVD regulations.
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Microbiologist example responsibilities.

  • Establish a DNA fingerprinting lab to aid in bacterial food borne disease investigations and manage it for ten years.
  • Manage external contract labs for GLP testing, prepare documentation for regulatory approval.
  • Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
  • Perform biochemical tests for the detection of communicable disease agents including tuberculosis, HIV, and other sexually transmit diseases.
  • Receive and log samples in LIMS as well as compiled work batches, QC sheets and data reports.
  • Utilize various real time PCR and DNA extraction technologies to identify and characterize various biological agents and infectious diseases.
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Biotechnologist vs microbiologist skills

Common biotechnologist skills
  • R, 23%
  • GMP, 13%
  • DNA, 13%
  • PCR, 12%
  • Assays, 10%
  • Extraction, 10%
Common microbiologist skills
  • Lab Equipment, 9%
  • Microbiology Lab, 7%
  • Environmental Monitoring, 7%
  • Test Methods, 6%
  • GMP, 5%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 5%

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