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The differences between bioinformatics scientists and bioinformaticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a bioinformatics scientist and a bioinformatician. Additionally, a bioinformatics scientist has an average salary of $91,530, which is higher than the $71,359 average annual salary of a bioinformatician.
The top three skills for a bioinformatics scientist include python, next-generation sequencing and data analysis. The most important skills for a bioinformatician are python, data analysis, and next-generation sequencing.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Bioinformatician | |
| Yearly salary | $91,530 | $71,359 |
| Hourly rate | $44.00 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,026 | 16,034 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A bioinformatics scientist specializes in studying biology while utilizing their expertise in computer science. Their responsibilities revolve around developing databases and software for biological advances, improving existing applications as needed, coordinating with different scientists and professionals, and maintaining extensive records of all research and transactions. It is essential to review all data, identify issues, troubleshoot, and perform corrective measures as needed. In a company setting, a bioinformatics scientist must create progress reports and presentations, all while adhering to the company's vision, mission, and goals.
Bioinformaticians are experts who are responsible for developing and conducting research by using methods and software tools to collect and analyze complex biological data. By combining their research in biology, medicine, and health-related studies with information technology, these bioinformaticians are required to interpret data that covers areas such as genetics or pharmaceutics. They must develop databases to compile a large amount of information from activities such as gene expression profiling and protein expression. Bioinformaticians must also maintain laboratory documents and keep updated with scientific or medical journals.
Bioinformatics scientists and bioinformaticians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Bioinformatician | |
| Average salary | $91,530 | $71,359 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $129,000 | Between $40,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Branford, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | AstraZeneca |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatics scientist and a bioinformatician in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Bioinformatician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Biostatistics |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between bioinformatics scientists' and bioinformaticians' demographics:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Bioinformatician | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.9% Female, 18.1% | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 38.6% White, 42.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 39.0% White, 42.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |