Microbiologist Salary In Usa Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually
Location : Chester County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-53967-32420
Department: Department of Health
Division: HL Div of Mcrblgy
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 32420
Position Number: 50374450
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00077311
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Laboratories / Division of Microbiology
Worksite Address: 110 Pickering Way
City: Exton, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 19341
Contact Name: Margaret King
Contact Email: margarking@pa.gov
THE POSITION
As a Microbiologist 2 with the Department of Health (DOH) in the Bureau of Laboratories, you will take part in important work that helps identify and track infectious diseases across the Commonwealth. This role gives you the chance to use advanced laboratory methods in a fast-paced and mission-focused setting. You will collaborate with skilled professionals who are committed to public health and scientific accuracy. Your contributions help deliver timely and trusted results that support the health of communities throughout Pennsylvania.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position supports public health by performing laboratory testing and analysis on clinical and environmental samples, including bioterrorism and foodborne agents. The work involves advanced microbiology methods, detailed documentation, and collaboration with partner agencies. As a Microbiologist 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Microbiology Testing: Conduct conventional and molecular testing for infectious agents in biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories
• Sample Analysis: Examine clinical, environmental, food, and water specimens related to bioterrorism events and infectious disease surveillance
• Technique Application: Use advanced laboratory methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Matrix-Assisted Laser Description/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF), Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF), and toxin assays
• Specimen Handling: Prepare specimens for shipment, receive new specimens, assign accession numbers, and deliver materials to appropriate areas
• Quality Control: Carry out quality control activities across testing phases and maintain required documentation and equipment records
• Training Support: Provide technical guidance to new staff, public health partners, students, and clinical laboratories

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Microbiologist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional laboratory work experience in microbiology, and a bachelor's degree that includes 20 credits in microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology or bacteriology and 12 credits in chemistry or biochemistry; or
• A graduate degree in microbiology.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Condition of Employment:

• This position will require the successful completion of a background risk assessment check, after hire.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.
How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
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We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
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We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
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*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Microbiologist 1 for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

02
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
Do you possess one year of full-time professional laboratory work experience in microbiology?

• Yes
• No

04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
Do you possess a bachelor's degree that includes 20 credits in microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology or bacteriology and 12 credits in chemistry or biochemistry?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

06
Do you possess a conferred master's degree or higher level degree in microbiology?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

07
If you are within three months of completing a master's degree or higher in microbiology, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
08
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provid