Microbiologists plan and run research projects, perform lab experiments, isolate and maintain cultures of microorganisms, identify and classify microorganisms in specimens, monitor their effects on the environment, write reports, present findings and supervise biological technicians. The BLS notes that they use microscopes, incubators and other lab equipment, and may use computers for analysis and writing.
The short answer: moderate exposure, with growth projected. The ILO's 2025 index rates the closest group, biologists, botanists, zoologists and related professionals, at gradient 2 with a score of 0.40. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 1,500 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed microbiologists are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Biologists, Botanists, Zoologists and Related Professionals | Gradient 2 | 0.40 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for microbiologists, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiologists | Grow 6% | About 1,500 |
The BLS expects microbiologists to be needed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies develop new drugs produced with the aid of microorganisms. It says demand for biofuels production should sustain advanced research and development, and that efforts to preserve the environment and safeguard public health also support demand. Many projected openings come from replacing workers who leave or retire.
Where AI is helping
- Searching and summarizing research literature, with sources to check.
- Analyzing data and drafting technical reports.
- Organizing records of cultures, specimens and results.
What stays with microbiologists
- Lab work: growing, isolating and studying microorganisms.
- Identification: classifying what is in a specimen and judging what it means.
- Oversight: supervising technicians and checking the accuracy of their results.
- Checking AI help: generated summaries and analyses can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The BLS points to drug development, biofuels and public health as sources of demand. The lab work and the judgment about results stay with the microbiologist. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace scientists?, will AI replace lab technicians? and will AI replace epidemiologists?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for microbiologists at $87,990 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace microbiologists?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year.
How exposed are microbiologists to AI?
The closest ILO group, biologists, botanists, zoologists and related professionals, is at gradient 2 with a score of 0.40.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to drug development by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, biofuels research, environmental protection and public health.
What do microbiologists do?
They run research and lab experiments, isolate and identify microorganisms, write reports and supervise biological technicians.