How to become a Bioinformatics Scientist

Official title: Bioinformatics Scientists

Also called: Bioinformaticist, Bioinformatics Programmer, Bioinformatics Research Associate, Computational Biology Scientist, Research Associate, Research Scientist, Scientist

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.

Main tasks

• Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
• Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
• Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
• Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
• Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.
• Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
• Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software.
• Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.

How to become one

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Ways in

• College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $98,920 a year The middle half earn $76,800 to $127,670.
• About 59,600 people work in this job now, and about 62,400 are projected by 2035. (+4.7%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

• Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Microbiologists
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Molecular and Cellular Biologists
• Geneticists
• Biologists

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Bioinformatics Scientist?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees.

How much does a Bioinformatics Scientist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $98,920 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $76,800 to $127,670.

Is a Bioinformatics Scientist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 59,600 to about 62,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Bioinformatics Scientist?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Bioinformatics Scientist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.