Science · SOC 19-1022
Microbiology is anchored in hands-on culture work, live organism study, and field sampling that AI cannot physically execute.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: AI-powered genomic sequencing analysis will accelerate species identification and environmental monitoring, but the hands-on culture and observational core of microbiology will remain robustly human for years.
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$67,950 median pay
$46,790 median pay
$85,310 median pay
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$104,240 median pay
AI job-risk card
Microbiologists is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Microbiologists is 28/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
28 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Preparing technical reports and recommendations from data, Researching commercial applications of microorganisms. Harder to automate: Isolating and maintaining bacterial cultures under controlled conditions, Monitoring water, food, and environmental samples for pathogens, Observing microbial action on living tissues and organic matter, Studying growth and development of microorganisms in live systems.
Lean into Microbiological culture techniques, Pathogen detection and identification, Environmental and food safety monitoring, AI-assisted genomic analysis, Regulatory compliance in laboratory settings. Consider roles such as Infectious Disease Research Scientist or Public Health Microbiologist or Pharmaceutical Quality Control Scientist.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.