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Public health microbiologist vs microbiologist

The differences between public health microbiologists and microbiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a public health microbiologist and a microbiologist. Additionally, a public health microbiologist has an average salary of $64,113, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.

The top three skills for a public health microbiologist include extraction, quality control procedures and body fluids. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.

Public health microbiologist vs microbiologist overview

Public Health MicrobiologistMicrobiologist
Yearly salary$64,113$54,620
Hourly rate$30.82$26.26
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs65,48911,444
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 90%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a public health microbiologist do?

Public health administrators are like health administrators, except that their focus is on population health. When working at an office, outreach is a critical part of their work. They will need to interface with the community they serve. They travel outside of the office for fundraising, public speaking, and public engagement on a regular basis. Their responsibilities include developing community programs that improve public health, assessing community health issues, and creating budgets related to public health operations.

What does a microbiologist do?

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.

Public health microbiologist vs microbiologist salary

Public health microbiologists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Health MicrobiologistMicrobiologist
Average salary$64,113$54,620
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $90,000Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Battelle
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between public health microbiologist and microbiologist education

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

Public Health MicrobiologistMicrobiologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 90%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorMicrobiologyBiology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Public health microbiologist vs microbiologist demographics

Here are the differences between public health microbiologists' and microbiologists' demographics:

Public Health MicrobiologistMicrobiologist
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 11.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage10%10%

Differences between public health microbiologist and microbiologist duties and responsibilities

Public health microbiologist example responsibilities.

  • Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
  • Extract DNA from patient samples using complex laboratory equipment.
  • Perform high-complexity public health testing including ELISA, PCR, DFA/IFA, viral and bacterial cultures, serologies and drug susceptibilities.
  • Secure database entry within FDA compliance regulations and laboratory notebook entries.
  • Conduct biochemical assays including biochemical identification of microorganisms.
  • Conduct biochemical assays including biochemical identification of microorganisms.

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.
  • Show more

Public health microbiologist vs microbiologist skills

Common public health microbiologist skills
  • Extraction, 17%
  • Quality Control Procedures, 16%
  • Body Fluids, 10%
  • Pathogens, 9%
  • Proficiency Testing, 6%
  • DNA, 6%
Common microbiologist skills
  • Lab Equipment, 9%
  • Microbiology Lab, 7%
  • Environmental Monitoring, 7%
  • Test Methods, 6%
  • GMP, 5%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 5%

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