Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between microbiologists and pathologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a microbiologist, becoming a pathologist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a pathologist has an average salary of $61,808, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a microbiologist include lab equipment, microbiology lab and environmental monitoring. The most important skills for a pathologist are patients, patient care, and diagnosis.
| Microbiologist | Pathologist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,620 | $61,808 |
| Hourly rate | $26.26 | $29.72 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 11,444 | 20,340 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 40 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Pathologists are medical healthcare professionals who are responsible for conducting examinations of bodies and body tissues. These pathologists must perform laboratory tests of body fluids and tissues to help primary care doctors make a diagnosis about the health of patients who are with chronic conditions. They specialize in genetic testing that will examine a tissue biopsy to determine whether a tumor is benign or cancerous. Pathologists must also perform autopsies to inform family members of the deceased about the cause of death and help them take preventive action for their own health.
Microbiologists and pathologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiologist | Pathologist | |
| Average salary | $54,620 | $61,808 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $75,000 | Between $25,000 And $148,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Battelle | UT Medical Group, Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a microbiologist and a pathologist in terms of educational background:
| Microbiologist | Pathologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Biology | Physiology And Anatomy |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between microbiologists' and pathologists' demographics:
| Microbiologist | Pathologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% | Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 20.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 13% |