Immunologist
Also known as: immunologists, immunology researcher, immunology scientist, immunology studies analyst, immunology analyst, immunology scholar
About this occupation
Immunologists research the immune system of living organisms (e.g. human body) and the way it reacts to external infections or invasive harmful agents (e.g. virus, bacteria, parasites). They focus their study on those diseases that affect the immunology of living organisms in order to classify them for treatment.
Essential skills and knowledge
- maintain laboratory equipment
- perform scientific research
- diagnostic immunology techniques
- research immune system malfunctions
- immunology
- molecular and cellular immunology
- biology
- perform laboratory tests
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- scientific research methodology
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- apply scientific methods
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Allergists and Immunologists (O*NET 29-1229.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Diagnose or treat allergic or immunologic conditions.
- Educate patients about diagnoses, prognoses, or treatments.
- Order or perform diagnostic tests such as skin pricks and intradermal, patch, or delayed hypersensitivity tests.
- Prescribe medication such as antihistamines, antibiotics, and nasal, oral, topical, or inhaled glucocorticosteroids.
- Interpret diagnostic test results to make appropriate differential diagnoses.
- Document patients' medical histories.
- Typical education (US)
- Post-Doctoral Training
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Social, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking
US median pay: US$265,930 a year (2025), 342,720 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.2)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Post-Doctoral Training
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
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- Dermatologists
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Neurologists
- Pediatricians, General
- Urologists
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.