How To Become A Bioinformatics Scientist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a bioinformatics scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Helen Mango Ph.D.

Bioinformatics scientists use technology and computer science to find solutions to problems in the area of biology. They study biological and biochemical data at the molecular level by using computer software and hardware. They also develop new software applications or improve on existing ones to meet scientific project needs. Bioinformatics scientists earn a median sum of $38 per hour, which amounts to $79,000 per year.

Bioinformatics scientists are known by different names, including biostatisticians, computational biologists, bioinformaticists, etc. They collaborate closely with scientists from a variety of disciplines to build innovative frameworks for data integration and automated data mining. They also ensure compliance with all existing safety standards.

Bioinformatics scientists mostly hold a master's degree in genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or related fields. They may work in an industrial, laboratory, or college classroom setting and spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen. Experience is integral in this field, and employers prefer candidates who have garnered enough over the years.

What general advice would you give to a bioinformatics scientist?

Helen Mango Ph.D.

Professor of Geology and Chemistry, Castleton University

Emphasize skills learned - field, laboratory, computer, writing.... Also, that geology is multi-disciplinary. It uses chemistry, physics, math, biology, tech.

ScoreBioinformatics ScientistUS Average

Salary

7.2

Avg. Salary $91,530

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 38.57%

Black or African American 5.75%

Hispanic or Latino 8.83%

Unknown 3.91%

White 42.80%

Gender

female 18.12%

male 81.88%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a bioinformatics scientist

Explore bioinformatics scientist education requirements

Most common bioinformatics scientist degrees

Bachelor's

42.7 %

Master's

30.5 %

Doctorate

24.4 %

Start to develop specific bioinformatics scientist skills

Skills	Percentages
Python	17.72%
Next-Generation Sequencing	11.52%
Data Analysis	10.45%
NGS	5.28%
Java	4.77%

Complete relevant bioinformatics scientist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New bioinformatics scientists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a bioinformatics scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real bioinformatics scientist resumes.

Research bioinformatics scientist duties and responsibilities

Manage informatics LIMS system for sample tracking, reporting and delivery of service projects.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Prototyped and evaluate algorithms in MATLAB, Java, and C++.
Propose, win and execute a C++ software development effort to explore foliage modeling techniques for airborne LIDAR simulation systems.

Prepare your bioinformatics scientist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your bioinformatics scientist resume.

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