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The differences between senior 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 senior microbiologist and a microbiologist. Additionally, a senior microbiologist has an average salary of $69,951, which is higher than the $54,620 average annual salary of a microbiologist.
The top three skills for a senior microbiologist include FDA, environmental monitoring and microbiology lab. The most important skills for a microbiologist are lab equipment, microbiology lab, and environmental monitoring.
| Senior Microbiologist | Microbiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $69,951 | $54,620 |
| Hourly rate | $33.63 | $26.26 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 12,133 | 11,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A senior microbiologist specializes in conducting studies and research, focusing on microorganisms. Their workplace responsibilities usually revolve around spearheading research projects, gathering and analyzing samples through various laboratory procedures, performing experiments and assessments, maintaining records of all operations, and drawing conclusions and recommendations according to the research findings. As a senior microbiologist, it is also their duty to lead and serve as a mentor to junior microbiologists in the joint effort to reach project goals. Moreover, when it comes to employment, a senior microbiologist may work for government agencies, private laboratories, and even teach at universities.
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.
Senior microbiologists and microbiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Microbiologist | Microbiologist | |
| Average salary | $69,951 | $54,620 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $95,000 | Between $39,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a senior microbiologist and a microbiologist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Microbiologist | Microbiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior microbiologists' and microbiologists' demographics:
| Senior Microbiologist | Microbiologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 Percentage | 10% | 10% |