Microorganisms have been known to metabolize many organic contaminants as sources of carbon and energy, converting them into products such as CO2 and water. These biotransformations can be exploited for the treatment of contaminated soils and water. In this study, the ability of 20 bacterial strains to utilize an array of 34 hydrocarbon compounds as their sole carbon sources was assessed under anaerobic and aerobic conditions using the Biolog MT2 assay. The study reveals significant variability in the degradation abilities of the bacterial strains, with a broader range of degradation observed under anaerobic conditions compared to aerobic conditions. LB strains generally demonstrate higher degradation rates anaerobically, whereas R2A strains show greater efficiency aerobically. Under aerobic conditions, LB strains displayed a broader capacity for organic compound degradation compared to R2A strains, with Raoultella sp. R18 standing out among the R2A strains. However, certain strains, like Raoultella planticola R6, Enterobacter hormaechei R22, and Raoultella ornithinolytica R29, showed comparatively lower degradation capabilities. Specific challenges were observed with compounds such as indole and pentachlorophenol, for which only Serratia sp. L2 exhibited utilization capabilities. Notably, strains like Serratia sp. L2, Raoultella sp. L30, and Alcaligenes aquatilis L34 exhibit significant growth in various pollutants under anaerobic conditions, highlighting their potential for anaerobic bioremediation. In contrast, strains such as Raoultella ornithinolytica R29 and Raoultella ornithinolytica R30 demonstrate remarkable efficiency in utilizing organic compounds aerobically, suggesting their suitability for aerobic bioremediation strategies. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the metabolic capabilities, growth rates, and degradation efficiencies of each bacterial strain, suggesting promising candidates for aerobic bioremediation of organic pollutants. However, some organic compounds (e.g., indole, pentachlorophenol) exhibited poor degradation, suggesting the potential for enhanced remediation through co-treatment with multiple strains. This study underscores the feasibility of anaerobic degradation of organic pollutants and offers insights into the ecological roles and applications of bacterial strains in bioremediation.