Occupation Profile

Industries Employing
 

Microbiologists
(SOC Code : 19-1022)
in Santa Cruz County

Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Include medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

Employers are usually looking for candidates with a Doctor's degree .

Santa Cruz County is the same as Santa Cruz-Watsonville MSA.
Occupational Wages[Top]
AreaYearPeriodHourly MeanHourly by Percentile
25thMedian75th
Santa Cruz-Watsonville MSA20231st Qtr$48.51$38.43$50.19$52.49

View Wages for All Areas  About Wages
 

Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
Projections for this occupation in Santa Cruz County are not available.

View Projections for All Areas  About Projections
 

Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange[Top]
 
    Find a Zip code in Santa Cruz County




Possible Licenses Required and Issuing Authority[Top]
License Title
License Authority
Public Health MicrobiologistCalifornia Department of Public Health
Laboratory Field Services
Personnel Licensing section
http://www.cdph.ca.gov
Clinical Microbiologist ScientistCalifornia Department of Public Health
Laboratory Field Services
Personnel Licensing section
http://www.cdph.ca.gov

About Licenses
 

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in Santa Cruz County
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manu433.1%
Scientific Research and Developm9722.0%
Architectural, Engineering, and Re1894.1%
Employment Services243.5%
Medical Equipment and Supplies M141.5%

About Staffing Patterns
 

Training Programs (click on title for more information)[Top]
Program Title
Microbiology, General

About Training & Apprenticeships
 

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Prepare technical reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes.
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, for community environmental health programs and for physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Use a variety of specialized equipment such as electron microscopes, gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters and phosphoimagers.
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
Study the structure and function of human, animal and plant tissues, cells, pathogens and toxins.

More Tasks for Microbiologists


Top Skills used in this Job
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

More Skills for Microbiologists


Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

More Abilities for Microbiologists


Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious.
Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

More WorkValues for Microbiologists


Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

More Interests for Microbiologists


Alternate Titles
Bacteriologists; Cell Biologists; Cytologists; Epidemiologists; Immunologists; Mycologists; Virologists
 
Related Links
LMI for Job Seekers
Local Area Profile
Compare Occupations
O*Net - The Occupation Information Network