Microbiologists
Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Microbiologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 10% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 18,940 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $87,990 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 67% for contact with people.
- Also called: Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes | 12% | 70% to 95% | |
| Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists | 8% | 10% to 30% | |
| Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment | 7% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills microbiologists use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much microbiologists rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver8/10
- Trust and reliability9/10
- Know-how about the organisation5/10
- Network and relationships5/10
- Mentoring and developing others5/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role7/10
- Calm in a crisis6/10
- Bridge between teams5/10
- Reputation and influence6/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $84,620
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $93,250
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $100,310
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $101,420
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Microbiologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of microbiologists?
Machines can do 25% of the tasks of microbiologists today and 62% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-1022.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Microbiologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/microbiologists/