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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 19-1022 Microbiologists
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Include medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
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Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
OJT: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks: Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms. Prepare technical reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes. Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists. Provide laboratory services for health departments, for community environmental health programs, and for physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment. Use a variety of specialized equipment such as electron microscopes, gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters and phosphorimagers. Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens. Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health. Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition. Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter. Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens and toxins. Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Satisfactory
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $17.97   Entry $37,372.00
Mean $27.46   Mean $57,131.00
Experience $32.21 Experience $67,000.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
14015015.69
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Biologists
Biomedical Engineers
Chemical Engineers
Chemists
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Food Scientists and Technologists
Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
No postsecondary schools reported programs.
Occupational Videos
19-1022.00 Microbiologists