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Job outlook for microbiology analysts in the United States
Are microbiology analyst jobs in demand?
Microbiology analyst job and salary trends over time
Microbiology analyst jobs over time
Microbiology analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,086 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,190 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,175 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,131 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,082 | 0.00% |
Average microbiology analyst salary over time
Microbiology analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,220 | $21.26 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $42,610 | $20.49 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $41,868 | $20.13 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $40,537 | $19.49 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | $38,809 | $18.66 | +1.6% |
Microbiology analyst jobs by state
Most common states for microbiology analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 95 | 14% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 354 | 4% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 268 | 4% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 247 | 4% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 179 | 3% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 28 | 3% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 22 | 3% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 728 | 2% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 339 | 2% |
| 10 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 194 | 2% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 166 | 2% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 125 | 2% |
| 13 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 97 | 2% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 90 | 2% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 74 | 2% |
| 16 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 34 | 2% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 30 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 22 | 2% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 16 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 14 | 2% |
Most common cities for microbiology analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hercules | 1 | 4% | $47,138 |
| 2 | Olathe | 1 | 1% | $34,312 |
| 3 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $41,898 |
Microbiology Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of microbiology analyst experts
University of California, Irvine
San Jose State University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Florida
University of New Hampshire- Manchester
Tufts University
Beloit College
Johns Hopkins University
Rollins College
California University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Mrunalini Pattarkine PhD
ProfessorWhat Microbiology Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mrunalini Pattarkine PhD: Be aware of the industry needs and acquire knowledge that aligns with that need. Convince the employer how you can add value to their talent pool. Be confident in demonstrating that you are the best candidate for that position. While finishing education, look for opportunities to gain real-world hands-on experience.
What Microbiology Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachael Barry Ph.D.: Microbiologists work with microscopic organisms such as bacteria and fungi as well as with viruses. They can work in healthcare and clinical settings, in basic research, and industry. There are roles for microbiologists in the cosmetics and personal care industry, the food and beverage industry, as well as the energy and biofuels industry, among others. Many microbiologists spend their days culturing organisms and studying their traits or manipulating those traits to perform useful tasks. Some microbiologists work in the field collecting samples, others are at the bench performing research, and some perform clinical and other types of testing. An entry-level microbiologist may be involved in preparing media for growing microbes, creating and maintaining new versions of microbes, and testing the properties of these organisms. Common methods used by microbiologists include aseptic technique, cell culture, microscopy, and sequencing.
Rachael French
Professor and ChairSan Jose State University
Natural Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Microbiology Analyst?
Rachael French: The Biology Department does not generally provide content for for-profit websites.
Bradley Bolling
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison
Food Science And Technology
What general advice would you give to a Microbiology Analyst?
Bradley Bolling: Get as broad of a set of experiences as you can. If you haven't completed an internship before graduation, seek one out immediately. Spend at least one semester gaining research experience. Learn about consumer trends and product development. Attend professional conferences and volunteer to network.
Monika Oli Ph.D.
Master Lecturer and Undergraduate CoordinatorUniversity of Florida
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
What skills stand out on Microbiology Analyst resumes?
Monika Oli Ph.D.: -Hands-on lab skills, list methods familiar with
-List instruments and lab equipment able to use
-Familiarity with diagnostic tests and interpretation of results
-Molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, etc.)
-Research experience would be good but not a must
-If the job is in industry, QC/QA and GLP/GMP knowledge would be beneficial, but the industry does a lot of on-the-job training
What soft skills should all Microbiology Analysts possess?
Monika Oli Ph.D.: -Teamwork - people skills
-Keeping a proper (electronic) lab notebookCuriosity
-Willingness to learn and improve
-Communication skills
-Reliable
-Hard-working - go the extra mile
What hard/technical skills are most important for Microbiology Analysts?
Monika Oli Ph.D.: -Good lab skills from pipetting to cloning
-Excellent computer skills are a must
-Data analysis, Excel and or R
-Programming
-Data management
-Bioinformatic programs, use, and application
-More and more experience with next-generation sequencing and associated data analysis is really important
What skills will help Microbiology Analysts earn the most?
Monika Oli Ph.D.: -Quantitative skills, programming
-Data analysis
-Molecular and next-generation sequencing skills and data analysis
I chose these skills because few applicants will have these skills, so being familiar with these skills will set you apart and make you invaluable.
Kristen Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiotechnologyUniversity of New Hampshire- Manchester
Biotechnology Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Microbiology Analysts?
Kristen Johnson Ph.D.: This is entirely dependent upon the position, as there are so many different positions in the biotech industry. For R&D, PD, MS&T, QC, manufacturing type positions, for example, hands-on lab skills are important. For this, the aseptic technique work in microbiology, cell culture, liquid chromatography, and with various assay equipment. Bio and chemical engineers are also in demand in these areas in order to under the fluid dynamics in manufacturing. Depending upon the size of the company and the stage of R&D, there is a wide range of (molecular and cellular biology) technical skills that can be very useful for particular positions. Computational Biology has become a big part of many biotech company's portfolios.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Microbiology Analysts?
Andrew Camilli: A short-term impact is happening now because of limited hiring due to COVID safety protocols that limit the number of people in work spaces. However, this limitation should dissipate as the pandemic winds down this summer and fall. After that, I would hope that hiring of PhD and Master students will accelerate to a high level, given the reminder the pandemic has given us of the importance of biomedical R&D.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Microbiology Analysts?
Tawnya Cary Ph.D.: Yes, I think there will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus on biology graduates. The impact will likely be multifaceted, but two things come to mind: 1) I think the demand for more professionals in public health and epidemiology will increase and graduate interest to fill that demand will follow, and 2) graduates have been given a 'pause button' for the past year while hiring has decreased, programs have been cancelled, etc. This time to reflect on what they want and need for their careers moving forward will hopefully help them re-evaluate the plans they have for themselves in a positive way.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Microbiology Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Travis Rieder Ph.D.: COVID-19 has made bioethics the stuff of everyday discussion: resource allocation, how to weigh health promotion against restrictions on personal freedom, research ethics, and more. My fervent hope is that employers in a wide variety of fields will see - now more than ever - the value of those with formal training in how to conduct careful, ethical reasoning about health, medicine, and science.
Zach Russell
Associate Professor and Department ChairRollins College
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, And Population Biology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Microbiology Analysts?
Zach Russell: I do not know the future; however, I am generally optimistic. The pandemic has highlighted, I feel, the role of science in our lives, and I like to think will open up new funding for the training of the next generation of scientists. Technological advancements have already changed the nature of education and how scientists work and engage with the community. Most graduates with a biology (or related) degree are interested in health and allied professions, and of course, this pandemic should reinvigorate them, in theory. I can see more funding and interest in health and health research in the coming years; however, this is dependent on how economics plays out. To a lesser extent, I think there is renewed interest in the environment, and I can see NGOs popping up that will require biology to institute sustainable solutions to problems.
One concern is if the pandemic takes years to subside, we could see a dip in educational abilities and skill sets with classes worldwide going virtual; however, I think the pandemic would need to take years for this to occur on a large-enough scale to matter.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Microbiology Analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. David G. Argent: Remote technology - there are still places in the U.S. that do not have Internet support needed to learn online. Laptop computers and tablets will likely increase in popularity. In addition, communications technology will continue to improve.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Microbiology Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Dr. David G. Argent: The job market will be one of two extremes, with jobs that get us outside and those that make sheltering in place bearable. I believe that we will continue to see an uptick in jobs that require training in the outdoors, careers like recreation and leisure, and fisheries, and wildlife, as well as those in the medical profession. Also, those companies that promote such activities focused on getting people outside - kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. In addition, I believe, now that companies have invested in remote methods to carry on the day-to-day activities, they will remain. I also believe that as more people remain unemployed, they will turn to trade schools, colleges, and universities to re-train themselves.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Microbiology Analysts in the next 5 years?
Dr. David G. Argent: Well, if we believe the Bureau of Labor Statistics - yes. As I often tell my students, Biology covers all topics that affect life. Regrettably, part of life is death - yet we continue to discover ways to increase our own longevity. I see a need for more research scientists in the medical field, more doctors, and more nurses. In addition, as we continue to affect our environment (especially now with increased use), I see a need for people trained to protect and to enhance our outside spaces.