Microbiologists
SOC Code: 19-1022 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
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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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Microbiologists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $73,299 | $101,754 | $130,208 | $158,662 |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $69,077 | $97,344 | $125,590 | $153,858 |
| Missoula, MT | $69,243 | $97,282 | $125,320 | $153,358 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $90,251 | $109,970 | $129,688 | $149,406 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $91,104 | $110,406 | $129,709 | $149,011 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $90,334 | $109,741 | $129,168 | $148,574 |
| Vallejo, CA | $88,546 | $108,472 | $128,378 | $148,304 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $85,550 | $106,142 | $126,714 | $147,306 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $88,067 | $107,578 | $127,109 | $146,619 |
| Napa, CA | $77,542 | $99,694 | $121,846 | $143,998 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine | 37 | $67,707 |
| Emory University | 35 | $70,268 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | 21 | $79,209 |
| RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY | 19 | $76,265 |
| The Pennsylvania State University | 19 | $65,723 |
| University of Wisconsin System | 18 | $61,281 |
| The Ohio State University | 17 | $64,177 |
| The University of Chicago | 17 | $64,776 |
| University of Georgia | 15 | $67,031 |
| University of Michigan | 15 | $62,862 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 104 | $65,185 |
| 2021 | 78 | $73,852 |
| 2022 | 81 | $67,489 |
| 2023 | 181 | $77,499 |
| 2024 | 313 | $509,173 |
| 2025 | 352 | $80,676 |
| 2026 | 71 | $77,920 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Science | 4.6 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 4.0 | |
| Active Learning | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Biology | 4.7 |
| Chemistry | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.6 |
| Education and Training | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 63.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.6% |
| Associate's degree | 9.1% |
| Master's degree | 9.1% |
| Other | 4.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
- Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software Assistant Software for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Interpretation ASASI BD Biosciences CellQuest BD Biosciences CloneCyt Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST Bruker Optics OPUS BtB Software Mycobacteriology Lab Codon Usage Database
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