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Microbiologists

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 100 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 71% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. 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.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. 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.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Chemists

    Very similar work
    +12% pay355 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 12% more—$93,136 vs your $83,363 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Science
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Chemistry
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Physics