10 of the Best Types of Microbiologist Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Microbiologist jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Microbiologist Jobs

• Microbiologist Manager

  Salary range: $65,000 - $131,500

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Senior Microbiologist

  Salary range: $72,500 - $96,500

  Senior Microbiologist is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Microbiologist jobs pay between $72,500 (25th percentile) and $96,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Microbiologist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  The primary qualifications for an entry-level microbiologist position vary by lab. Some companies are willing to hire people with as little as a high school diploma or associate degree, though a bachelor's or master's degree may be necessary to advance to a senior position. Employers prefer previous experience in a laboratory setting, which you can gain through internships or classes while in school. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this position requires excellent communication skills, the ability to work in a fast-paced team setting, knowledge of laboratory safety procedures, and attention to detail. Some labs may require you to meet additional criteria, such as a security clearance, if they work with dangerous microbes.

• Per Diem Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Junior Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  Junior Microbiologist is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Microbiologist jobs pay between $51,500 (25th percentile) and $83,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Microbiologist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Microbiologist Trainee

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Internship Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Executive Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• Full Time Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Summer Microbiologist

  Salary range: $51,500 - $83,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.