How much does a Microbiologist make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Microbiologist
Image that illustrates Microbiologist

Microbiologist

49 100 kr

Cell and molecular biologists etc.

41 600 - 52 100 kr / month

Women earn 89% of what men do.

Naturvetenskapligt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Microbiologist

Average salary 49 100 kr
Males 52 100 kr
Females 46 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 17 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Microbiologist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Microbiologist primarily works with investigating microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The work may include research, laboratory analysis, quality control, or product development within sectors like pharmaceuticals, food, or environmental industries. A typical work environment consists of laboratories where advanced equipment is used to analyze samples and conduct experiments. Microbiologists often collaborate with other researchers and technicians, working independently or in project teams, sometimes under time pressure and with high demands for accuracy and safety.

Salary development over time

The salary for Microbiologists has shown a steady increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 44,700 SEK per month, increasing to 46 700 in 2023 and further to 49 100 in 2024. This represents a total increase of nearly 10% over three years. The salary trend is driven by increased demand for expertise in biotech, pharmaceutical research, and food safety. At the same time, salaries are influenced by education level, experience, and geographic location. Overall, a positive trend is observed for the profession, although variations exist between sectors and employers.

Microbiologist salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 49 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (female, public sector, 3 years post-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (male, various sectors, unspecified education level)
  • Hourly wage: 295 SEK (average, based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn 46 400 SEK, men 52,100 SEK – women earn 89% of men's salary
  • Regional differences: No detailed statistics available

Education and qualifications

A Microbiologist typically holds an academic degree in microbiology, biology, or related natural sciences. A bachelor's degree is often required, but a master's or higher is common, especially for research-oriented positions. Practical laboratory experience and knowledge of molecular biology techniques are highly meritorious, as is experience with project work and scientific documentation.

  • Bachelor's degree in biology/microbiology: 3 years
  • Master's degree or equivalent: 5 years (recommended for research roles)
  • Laboratory internship/trainee: Often mandatory during education
  • Courses in molecular biology, genetics, and statistics: Meritorious
  • Prerequisites: Science high school or equivalent
  • Tips for choosing: Focus on universities with strong research connections

Microbiologists often have opportunities to work internationally, both in research and industry. Many projects are conducted in collaboration with foreign universities and companies, opening doors for exchange programs and international careers.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Microbiologists are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, professional development, research grants, and occupational pension schemes. In some cases, remote work options are available, especially for analysis and reporting tasks. Employment at universities and in the public sector may include generous vacation policies and further training opportunities.

Competition and challenges

The job market for Microbiologists involves some competition for the most attractive positions, especially within academic research and the pharmaceutical industry. The lack of detailed statistics makes it difficult to precisely assess the competition level, but there are signs of increased demand within biotech, food safety, and environmental analysis. The profession also requires continuous skills development to keep pace with rapid technological advances. Challenges include insecure project-based employment and the need for high specialization in certain roles. According to the Employment Service, no formal forecast exists for the profession due to limited data, but recently there were 143 job openings in the field.

Tips for aspiring Microbiologists

To succeed as a Microbiologist, it is beneficial to have strong analytical skills and a keen interest in scientific questions. Precision is crucial, especially in laboratory work and handling sensitive samples. Good teamwork skills facilitate project collaboration and communication with colleagues from different disciplines. Flexibility and the ability to quickly adopt new methods give you an advantage in a rapidly evolving industry. Curiosity drives you to seek new knowledge and stay updated on research findings. Finally, resilience is important, as research processes can be time-consuming and results may take time to materialize.

Key facts about Microbiologists

  • Education level: Academic degree (at least 3 years, often 5 years)
  • Work environment: Laboratories, research environments, industry
  • Typical work form: Project and team work, sometimes independent
  • Demand: Approximately 143 recent job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Molecular biological techniques, laboratory analysis

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a Microbiologist can advance to specialist roles within laboratories, become project managers for research projects, or take responsibility for quality control and product development in industry. There are also opportunities to work in teaching or consulting, such as laboratory instructors or biotech consultants. Some choose to pursue doctoral studies for an academic career. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, no detailed future assessment exists for Microbiologists, but the general trend in natural sciences indicates stable demand, especially in food, environment, and pharmaceuticals. The number of recent job openings suggests good opportunities for qualified candidates.

Frequently asked questions about Microbiologists

  • What is the average salary of a Microbiologist?
    - The average salary for a Microbiologist is 49 100 SEK per month.
  • What are the lowest and highest salaries for Microbiologists?
    - The lowest reported salary is 41,600 SEK and the highest is 52,100 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 46 400 SEK and men 52,100 SEK, which means women earn 89% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Microbiologist?
    - A bachelor's degree in biology or microbiology is required, but a master's degree is common for research roles.
  • What are the future prospects for Microbiologists?
    - There is no exact forecast, but about 143 job openings have recently been noted within the profession.
  • What work environments are most common for Microbiologists?
    - Laboratories, universities, research institutes, and industry are most common.
  • What personal qualities are important in this profession?
    - Analytical skills, accuracy, teamwork ability, and curiosity are key qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 00:35:51

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Microbiologist is 52100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Microbiologist is 41600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 42900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 40700 kr 41000 kr
35-44 100% 45800 kr 45900 kr
45-54 98% 49900 kr 50300 kr
Snitt 89% 48900 kr 49100 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Microbiologist has the SSYK code 2131, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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