Life, Physical, and Social Science
Microbiologists
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.
Also called: Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist
- Median pay in Greater Boston
- $122,350
- $58.82/hr
- Jobs in Greater Boston
- 1,810
- Massachusetts 2024–2034
- +1.1%
- 160 openings a year
- Typical U.S. entry requirement
- Bachelor's degree
Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.
Pay range in Greater Boston
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,990 | $100,190 | $122,350 | $142,220 | $163,790 |
10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.
What you’d do
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- 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.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
AI and this job
AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.
Moderate exposure57 of 100
The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:
- AIOE 62
- Language-model AIOE 58
- GPTs-are-GPTs 51
Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)
Microbiologists have moderate AI exposure, and some AI use is already seen. AI tools can help with analyzing test results, sorting data, and writing reports. Growing cultures, using a microscope to identify organisms, and supervising lab staff still depend on skilled people.
Likely to change
- Analyzing and reporting lab test results
- Sorting and tracking sample data
Still relies on people
- Growing and maintaining cultures by hand
- Identifying organisms under a microscope
Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.
Training near Boston
College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).
0 programs near Boston (plus 7 graduate)
No programs below a master’s degree near Boston map to this job. Tick the box above to see graduate programs.
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