In this paper, the influence of surface roughness and pressure-dependent viscosity on load carrying mechanism in micropolar fluid squeeze film lubrication between circular stepped plates is studied. The modified Reynolds equation is derived on the basis of Christensen’s stochastic theory, two types of one-dimensional roughness structures, namely the radial roughness pattern and azimuthal roughness pattern is studied. It has been found that the influence of coupling parameter, viscosity parameter, non-dimensional roughness, characteristic length etc. on non-dimensional pressure, load carrying capacity and squeeze film time have been studied. It is observed that, the effect of azimuthal (radial) roughness pattern on the rough circular stepped plate increases (decreases) the load carrying capacity and the squeeze film time as compared to the corresponding smooth case. Some numerical results are also provided in tables for engineer applications.