Microbiology involves research and examination of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. The testing and research in which microbiology technicians assist yield medicines, treatments, strategies to address public health emergencies and nutritional products. As such, microbiology technicians may have alternative titles such as laboratory technicians and science technicians. Microbiology technicians fetch on a mean basis $45,852 in the United States. In Canada, a microbiology technician salary is about C$43,481 ($34,509 USD), and ￡21,134 ($29,967 USD) in the United Kingdom. In Australia, the mean salary rests at AU$49,582 ($38,647 USD). For microbiology technicians in New Zealand, salaries run on average NZD$41,594 ($30,611 USD).
How Much Does a Microbiology Technician Salary Make?
| Microbiology Technician Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand |
| Annual Salary | $45,852 | C$43,481 | ￡21,134 | AU$49,582 | NZD$41,594 |
Microbiology Technician Salary Determinant Factors
Employers in the private, academic and public sector employ microbiology technicians. Temporary positions also populate the field, with employers relying on contract labor or fixing positions to run with the duration of projects or research funding. In some cases, the microbiology technician may work less than a year.
Those with more experience generally can command higher pay. However, given the support role and relative lack of supervisory responsibilities, microbiology technician pay does not have a significant range by experience when compared with other professions in science and medicine.
1. How Much Does a Microbiology Technician Salary Make by Country?
Microbiology Technician Salary in US
As reported by PayScale, microbiology technicians in the United States make on a mean basis $20 per hour. This translates to an annual salary, based on 40 hours per week, of $41,600. The pay range starts at $27,511 and reaches $54,813. Glassdoor declares the mean pay to rest at $45,852.
Microbiology Technician Salary in Canada
Neuvoo reports a mean pay of C$43,481 for microbiology technicians in Canada. Salaries run from C$30,000 to C$61,000.
Microbiology Technician Salary in UK
According to Neuvoo, microbiology technicians earn on a mean basis ￡21,134 in the United Kingdom. These workers make between ￡15,000 and ￡30,000, says Neuvoo. This range corresponds to the span of pay reported by the National Careers Service for “Laboratory technicians.”
Microbiology Technician Salary in Australia
SalaryExpert reports a mean pay figure of AU$49,582 for microbiology technicians in Australia. These members of the Australian labor force anticipate pay between AU$37,538 to AU$59,667.
Microbiology Technician Salary in New Zealand
According to SalaryExpert, microbiology technicians earn on a mean basis NZD$41,594 in New Zealand. Their salaries run from NZD$32,759 to NZD$50,015. The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment declares the mean pay for the broader category of “Science Technicians” to be NZD$53,400.
2. How Much Does a Microbiology Technician Make According to Experience?
According to Neuvoo, starting microbiology technicians in Canada can expect to make around C$30,000. At the most experienced levels, pay reaches C$61,000. The National Careers Service places entry-level pay for “Laboratory technicians” at ￡15,000. Those deemed “Experienced” make from ￡20,000 to ￡25,000, while pay reaches ￡30,000 or more for “Highly Experienced” laboratory technicians. According to Neuvoo, starting “Microbiology Technicians” fetch salaries of ￡15,000 and thsoe at the higher end of the experience spectrum can earn up to ￡30,000.
As stated by SalaryExpert, microbiology technicians in Australia make on a mean basis AU$37,538 with up to three years of experience. At senior-levels of experience, pay averages AU$59,667. Entry-level pay for microbiology technicians in New Zealand average NZD$32,759, while eight or more years of experience results in a mean pay of NZD$50,015.
3. How Much Does a Microbiology Technician Make According to Work Environment?
Overall, for-profit companies tend to pay microbiology technicians more than those with public or government agencies. The earnings will depend on the size, profits or investment in research and development of the particular company. In other words, pay can vary by company.
For example, Glassdoor lists hourly pay of $12 to $15 per hour for Nestle USA microbiologist technicians (whose work on a contract basis). At PepsiCo, a contract microbiology technician can fetch $16 to $18 per hour. On an annual basis, Nestle USA offers pay of $37,000 to $40,000 and Teva Pharmaceuticals pays between $48,00 and $52,000.
In the United Kingdom, some microbiologists and microbiology technicians work under the National Health Service. The technicians start as “Healthcare science assistants” on “Band 2” or “Band 3.” In the former category, salaries run between ￡15,404 and ￡18,157. Assistants, or technicians, in Band 3 can expect to make from ￡16,968 to ￡19,852 in the National Health Service.
Working Hours
Generally, microbiology technicians work full-time. For “Biological technologists and technicians” in Canada, the full-time workers’ rate stands at 93 percent. Overall, 81 percent of the Canadian workforce is full-time. Depending on the setting, especially academic ones, the microbiological research may be tied to a specific grant or project. This means that some positions for microbiology or other scientific laboratory technicians may have a fixed duration. Research or other firms may employ microbiology technicians on a contract basis. Work schedules generally encompass weekdays and daytimes. In hospitals and other medical facilities that operate on a 24-hour basis, microbiology technicians may have evening or weekend duty.
Bonuses and Benefits
Microbiology technicians in the United States have mean bonuses of $1,350. According to SalaryExpert, bonuses average a modest AU$704 for microbiology technicians in Australia and NZD$591 for those in New Zealand.
For health benefits, 69 percent of microbiology technicians in the United States report to PayScale having medical coverage, while 61 percent receive dental coverage. Half of microbiology technicians in the United States enjoy vision benefits.
Career Prospects
Generally, microbiologist technicians should see more employment opportunities as the microbiology field emerges. Medical, regulatory and industrial bodies rely on microbiology to develop and test products, find causes of and combat potential health problems or epidemics and treat illnesses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth of eight percent in employment of microbiologists through 2026, representing 1,900 additional positions. According to Job Outlook Australia, the country should have 25,000 “Medical Laboratory Scientists” by 2022. As of 2017, Australia had 23,800 of these scientists. In the “Life Scientists” occupation, the size should grow from 6,600 in 2017 to 6,900 by 2022.
Based on predictions from Job Bank Canada, the country should have 1,200 additional positions for “Biological technologists and technicians.” Accounting for those leaving the occupation and new job creation, Canada should have 5,100 openings for 5,200 seekers.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment predicts that the country will have 5.583 “Science Technicians” by 2021 and 5,776 in the field by 2026. According to the Ministry, prospective technicians will find the best employment opportunities in applied sciences and in disciplines such as biology, health, environment and manufacturing that produces high-value or high-end products. Entities in these disciplines should find preferences in government funding. With experience and education, microbiology technicians can advance to roles as laboratory managers and microbiologists.
Conclusion
Microbiology technicians generally earn salaries in the lower half of scientific or health workers. Within the microbiology technician occupation, experience and work environment can drive salaries upward to an extent. However, the experience can help these workers springboard into higher paying positions as laboratory supervisors or managers, microbiologists and researchers.
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