This study investigated the musculoskeletal stress experienced by microscopists for different neck angles. Electromyography was employed for objective evaluation of the musculoskeletal stress which was compared with the subjective assessmnent obtained through questionnaire. Subjects viewed through the microscopes for two hours at a time in a constrained posture with neck angles of 25, 45 and 65 degrees. Electromyograms (EMG) were recorded for the cervical, trapezius, lattisimus dorsi and erector spinae regions. Subjects also reported the perceived level of stress every fifteen minutes. Both objective and subjective criteria revealed significant increases in the levels of musculoskeletal stress over time of the experiment for all levels of neck angles, in most muscles tested. Higher levels of stress were observed for erector spinae and cervical regions for 65 and 45 degree neck angles. It was concluded that the stress may be reduced by utilizing optimal neck angle in designing the microscope workplace layout.