What they do
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Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
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| Also called: |
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Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist, Public Health Microbiologist, Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist), Research Microbiologist, Research Specialist
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Wages
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| Vermont - 2024 |
| Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
| 10% |
$ 26.06 |
$54,200 |
| 25% |
$ 29.46 |
$61,280 |
| Median |
$ 32.01 |
$66,590 |
| 75% |
$ 36.63 |
$76,190 |
| 90% |
$ 40.17 |
$83,550 |
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| Average |
$ 33.09 |
$68,830 |
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| More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
| United States - 2022 |
| Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 38% |
| 16% |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 11% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 6% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 6% |
| More at BLS |
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Knowledge
| People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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- Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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| More at O*NET |
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Skills
| People in this career often have these skills: |
- Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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- Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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| More at O*NET |
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Interests
| People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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| What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
| People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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| More at O*NET |
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Tasks
| On the job, you would: |
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
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- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
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- Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
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- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
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- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
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| More at O*NET |
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| Related Occupations
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| Career Video
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Projected Employment
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| Vermont |
| 2022 employment |
38 |
| 2032 employment |
40 |
Annual percent change
(compounded) |
0.5% |
Annual projected job openings
(due to change and separations) |
3 |
| More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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| Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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- Physical activity is Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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| Low |  | High |
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| Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
| Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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| Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
| How much education do most people in this career have? |
| Education level |  | Percent of
U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree
or post-MA certificate | | 5% |
Master's degree or
post-BA certificate | | 23% |
| Bachelor's degree | | 64% |
| Associate's degree | | 9% |
Certificate or some college,
no degree | | 0% |
High school diploma
or equivalent | | 0% |
| Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
| More at O*NET |
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Abilities
| People in this career often have talent in: |
- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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- Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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| More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
| In general, what you might do: |
- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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- Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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| More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
| What you might do in a day: |
- Cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations.
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- Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
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- Analyze biological samples.
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- Inspect condition of natural environments.
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- Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
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| More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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