What does a microbiology technician do?
A Microbiology Technician helps microbiologists and other scientists conduct experiments and other tests. They usually work in labs and examine microscopic subjects, such as diseases, fungi, and algae.
Microbiology technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real microbiology technician resumes:
- Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
- Apply GMP and GLP documentation for all sample testing.
- Prepare culture media, perform culture media QC test, and maintain appropriate inventory, perform growth promotion testing and sterility.
- Quantify total aerobic plate count and total yeast and mold count.
- Keep records of all tests in database and keep entries of QA checks.
- Use of microscopes, autoclaves, carboys, manual and electric pipettes, etc.
- Accustom to all GMP's and currently certify as an active HACCP team member.
- Develop PCR components for new commercial assay and new probes / markers for fastidious microorganisms.
- Prepare media and perform total plate counts along with yeast and mold counts on various spices and seasonings.
- Perform PCR, Elisa assays, cultural confirmations, isolate cultures, review and enter in data from tests.
- Run and maintain the proper QA/QC for analyses and verify that QC is in acceptance criteria prior to releasing data.
- Cross-Train with the chemistry department to assist in preparing food samples for wet chemistry testing (pH, moisture).
- Analyze FDA compliance samples for microbiological analysis.
- Perform bioburden testing and identify bacterial growth.
- Assist in CLIA certification preparation for laboratory.
Microbiology technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Microbiology Technicians are proficient in Lab Equipment, Test Results, and Laboratory Procedures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Technical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Microbiology Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Equipment, 10%
Inspected lab equipment routinely to ensure proper functionality.
- Test Results, 6%
Performed microbiological testing of water and soil samples and assisted in collecting and correlating test results as needed
- Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Assisted in the development of laboratory procedures.
- Environmental Monitoring, 5%
Assisted with identification of the type of microorganisms grown during environmental monitoring, while maintaining inventory and general upkeep of laboratory.
- Media Preparation, 5%
Performed Vitamins and Antibiotics Assays using microbiological technique* Microbial Limit and Identification test* Preserved cultures using Streak Plate Method* Media preparations
- FDA, 4%
Participated in Building Penicillin Trace Validation achieving FDA's approval.
Common skills that a microbiology technician uses to do their job include "lab equipment," "test results," and "laboratory procedures." You can find details on the most important microbiology technician responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a microbiology technician to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Additionally, a microbiology technician resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed fda compliance samples for microbiological analysis. "
Technical skills. Many microbiology technician duties rely on technical skills. "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments," so a microbiology technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways microbiology technician responsibilities rely on technical skills: "achieved 100% fda audit compliance researched and completed technical studies resulting in several changes in laboratory protocols and training methodologies. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of microbiology technicians is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday microbiology technician duties, as "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained communication with infectious disease physicians and infection control regarding resistant organisms and other clinically significant pathogens. "
The three companies that hire the most microbiology technicians are:
- Mérieux NutriSciences29 microbiology technicians jobs
- HealthTrust9 microbiology technicians jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings7 microbiology technicians jobs
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Compare different microbiology technicians
Microbiology technician vs. Quality control chemist
A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between microbiology technicians and quality control chemist. For instance, microbiology technician responsibilities require skills such as "laboratory procedures," "media preparation," "aseptic technique," and "microbiology lab." Whereas a quality control chemist is skilled in "analytical methods," "uv/vis," "drug products," and "test methods." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality control chemists really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $63,570. Comparatively, microbiology technicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $43,620.quality control chemists tend to reach similar levels of education than microbiology technicians. In fact, quality control chemists are 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Microbiology technician vs. Research chemist
A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real microbiology technician resumes. While microbiology technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "lab equipment," "test results," "laboratory procedures," and "environmental monitoring," research chemists use skills like "laboratory equipment," "method development," "r," and "analytical chemistry."
Research chemists earn a higher average salary than microbiology technicians. But research chemists earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $92,565. Additionally, microbiology technicians earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $43,620 annually.In general, research chemists achieve higher levels of education than microbiology technicians. They're 6.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for microbiology technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.
Microbiology technician vs. Associate scientist
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a microbiology technician is likely to be skilled in "test results," "laboratory procedures," "aseptic technique," and "microbiology lab," while a typical associate scientist is skilled in "patients," "cell culture," "data analysis," and "flow cytometry."
Associate scientists earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $80,987. Microbiology technicians earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $43,620.associate scientists typically earn higher educational levels compared to microbiology technicians. Specifically, they're 9.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Microbiology technician vs. Research and development assistant
A research and development assistant is responsible for supporting the research team in collecting studies and information to support research claims and evaluate data materials. Research and development assistants interview participants, conduct data and statistical analysis, and interpret survey results. They ensure to document all findings and research progress and report any concerns to the research supervisor for immediate resolution. A research and development assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in participating in brainstorming sessions and finalize research subjects as required.
Types of microbiology technician
Updated January 8, 2025
