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The differences between bioinformatics scientists and scientists 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 scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $91,530 average annual salary of a bioinformatics scientist.
The top three skills for a bioinformatics scientist include python, next-generation sequencing and data analysis. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $91,530 | $97,344 |
| Hourly rate | $44.00 | $46.80 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,026 | 62,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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.
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Bioinformatics scientists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Scientist | |
| Average salary | $91,530 | $97,344 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $129,000 | Between $67,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Technology |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatics scientist and a scientist in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between bioinformatics scientists' and scientists' demographics:
| Bioinformatics Scientist | Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.9% Female, 18.1% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |