Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.
SOC: 19-1029.01
Common Job Titles
Bioinformaticist
Bioinformatics Scientist
Research Scientist
Scientist
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
KnowledgeDesign algorithms and databases for processing genomic and proteomic data using bioinformatics theory and computational biology methods in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.
Advanced
KnowledgeAnalyze complex biological datasets including DNA/RNA sequences and protein structures using statistical methods and bioinformatics tools to identify patterns and biological significance.
Advanced
KnowledgeSynthesize biological knowledge from multiple public databases and literature sources to generate novel hypotheses and inform experimental design in computational biology research.
Advanced
KnowledgeEvaluate computational models and analytical pipelines for biological data processing independently assessing accuracy, efficiency, and scalability in research and clinical applications.
Proficient
KnowledgeApply machine learning and statistical techniques to genomic variant analysis collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in medical technology and pharmaceutical development.
Proficient
KnowledgeInterpret bioinformatics analysis results for scientific and clinical stakeholders translating complex computational findings into actionable insights for research and drug development.
Proficient
Hands-onExecute high-performance computing workflows on cloud platforms and distributed systems using Python, R, Perl, and shell scripting with tools like Apache Hadoop and AWS.
Proficient
Hands-onOperate bioinformatics software suites and genomic analysis tools including GATK, Bioconductor, and sequence alignment tools on Linux/UNIX environments.
Proficient
Hands-onManipulate relational and NoSQL databases for biological data storage and retrieval implementing SQL queries and optimizing database schemas for large-scale genomic datasets.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate cross-disciplinary perspectives from biology, computer science, and mathematics when leading collaborative research projects and communicating with diverse scientific teams.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate best practices in computational reproducibility and open science using version control systems like Git and GitHub while mentoring junior researchers.
Proficient
KnowledgeDevelop data visualization strategies and interactive dashboards for biological data using tools like Tableau and Python libraries to communicate scientific findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Bioinformatics Scientists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
59,710
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $54,500. 25th percentile: U.S. $67,950. 50th percentile: U.S. $93,330. 75th percentile: U.S. $121,350. 90th percentile: U.S. $159,780. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$54,500
10% of workers earn the following or more
$159,780
Workers on average earn
$100,440
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Biology4.8/5
Computers and Electronics4.6/5
Mathematics4.3/5
English Language4.2/5
Chemistry3.6/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
