Compare Microbiologists & Biologists United States

Comparison Microbiologists Biologists
Salary

View the mid-level salary in both your current job and your selected occupation. (Annual salaries apply to people who work full-time year-round.)

Microbiologists $85,500
Biologists $91,100

Similar skills & knowledge

These skills are commonly used in both your current job and your selected occupation.

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.

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.

Time Management
Managing your time and the time of other people.

Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Systems Evaluation
Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

Systems Analysis
Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

Coordination
Changing what is done based on other people's actions.

Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.

Learning Strategies
Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.

Reading Comprehension
Reading work-related information.

Management of Personnel Resources
Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Monitoring
Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

Judgment and Decision Making
Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Science
Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.

Critical Thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

Active Listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

Active Learning
Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.


skills & knowledge Gaps

These are areas where you might have skill gaps. People working in your selected job generally need higher levels in these skill and knowledge areas than people working in your current job.

Geography Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Microbiologists
Microbiologists
Very Low
Geography Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Biologists
Biologists
Medium

Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

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Customer and Personal Service Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Microbiologists
Microbiologists
Low
Customer and Personal Service Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Biologists
Biologists
Medium

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

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Programming Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Microbiologists
Microbiologists
Very Low
Programming Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Biologists
Biologists
Medium

Programming
Writing computer programs.

Law and Government Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Microbiologists
Microbiologists
Low
Law and Government Skills & Knowledge Gaps for Biologists
Biologists
Medium

Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

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Typical Level Of Training

See how much education people typically have in your selected job, and then use the link to find training programs in your local area.

Typical level Of training for Microbiologists
Microbiologists

Bachelor's degree

Typical level Of training for Biologists
Biologists

Licensing

Many states require licenses for certain jobs. See if your selected occupation requires a license and if so, follow the link to find information for your state.

Licensing for Microbiologists
Microbiologists

License may be required in some states

Licensing for Biologists
Biologists

License may be required in some states


Certification

Certifications help you get ahead or qualify for different jobs. You usually have to pass a test to earn one, and then you can show employers that you have the skills and knowledge needed to do well on the job.

Certification for Microbiologists
Microbiologists

8 related certifications

Certification for Biologists
Biologists

3 related certifications

Find Certifications