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Microbiologists vs Neuroscientists

Median pay is about $11k higher for Neuroscientists. Both usually start with the same education: doctoral.

marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.

Microbiologists compared with Neuroscientists: pay, outlook, entry and AI exposure
MeasureMicrobiologistsNeuroscientists
Pay
Median pay$87,990$98,920, higher
Entry pay 25th percentile$67,100$76,800, higher
Experienced pay 75th percentile$122,350$127,670, higher
Outlook, 2025 to 2035
Projected growth+6.2% Growing fast, higher+4.7% Growing fast
Openings a year1,5004,300
Getting in
Typical educationDoctoralDoctoral
Difficulty modeled3 / 53 / 5
AI
Displacement risk modeledHighVery high
AI exposure modeled, percentile66th pct89th pct

Skills

Both lean on the same top skills: science, reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, active listening, speaking.

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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.