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Bioinformatics Scientists

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.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze complex biological datasets including DNA/RNA sequences and protein structures using statistical methods and bioinformatics tools to identify patterns and biological significance.
  • KnowledgeSynthesize biological knowledge from multiple public databases and literature sources to generate novel hypotheses and inform experimental design in computational biology research.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate computational models and analytical pipelines for biological data processing independently assessing accuracy, efficiency, and scalability in research and clinical applications.
  • KnowledgeApply machine learning and statistical techniques to genomic variant analysis collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in medical technology and pharmaceutical development.
  • KnowledgeInterpret bioinformatics analysis results for scientific and clinical stakeholders translating complex computational findings into actionable insights for research and drug development.
  • 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.
  • Hands-onOperate bioinformatics software suites and genomic analysis tools including GATK, Bioconductor, and sequence alignment tools on Linux/UNIX environments.
  • Hands-onManipulate relational and NoSQL databases for biological data storage and retrieval implementing SQL queries and optimizing database schemas for large-scale genomic datasets.
  • MindsetIntegrate cross-disciplinary perspectives from biology, computer science, and mathematics when leading collaborative research projects and communicating with diverse scientific teams.
  • MindsetAdvocate best practices in computational reproducibility and open science using version control systems like Git and GitHub while mentoring junior researchers.
  • 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.

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.
MetricU.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

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Apache Hadoop
  • Bash
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Django
  • Docker
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • JavaScript
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSON
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • MySQL
  • NoSQL
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle Java
  • Oracle PL/SQL
  • PHP
  • Perl
  • PostgreSQL
  • Python
  • R
  • Ruby
  • SAP software
  • SAS
  • Salesforce software
  • Scala
  • Shell script
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Tableau
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX
  • jQuery

Technology Skills

  • Accelrys Pipeline Pilot
  • Apache Accumulo
  • Apache Groovy
  • Apache HTTP Server
  • BLAT
  • BWA
  • BioPerl
  • Bioconductor
Tools & Technology: Technology Skills

Tools & Equipment

  • Computer data input scanners
  • Computer laser printers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers