Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for computational biologists in the United States
Are computational biologist jobs in demand?
Computational biologist job and salary trends over time
Computational biologist jobs over time
Computational biologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 547 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 515 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 507 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 507 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 487 | 0.00% |
Average computational biologist salary over time
Computational biologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,449 | $29.54 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $58,761 | $28.25 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $57,262 | $27.53 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $55,350 | $26.61 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $53,083 | $25.52 | --0.5% |
Computational biologist jobs by state
Most common states for computational biologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 27 | 4% |
| 2 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 51 | 3% |
| 3 | California | 39,536,653 | 297 | 1% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 82 | 1% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 49 | 1% |
| 6 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 35 | 1% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 15 | 1% |
| 8 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 12 | 1% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 11 | 1% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 9 | 1% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 6 | 1% |
| 12 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 5 | 1% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 4 | 1% |
| 14 | New York | 19,849,399 | 44 | 0% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 26 | 0% |
| 16 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 8 | 0% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 8 | 0% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 4 | 0% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 4 | 0% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 2 | 0% |
Most common cities for computational biologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | 7 | 6% | $77,092 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | 1 | 2% | $67,620 |
| 3 | Salt Lake City | 2 | 1% | $79,425 |
| 4 | Redwood City | 1 | 1% | $92,154 |
| 5 | San Diego | 7 | 0% | $80,514 |
| 6 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $77,085 |
Computational Biologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of computational biologist experts
Earlham College
Northeastern State University
University of Dallas
Northwestern University
New Mexico State University
Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Lake Superior State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Washington State University
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Taufika Williams PhD: Wet-laboratory skills will always be important, however, data interrogation is a key space of growth, as biotechnology research is being driven by big data. Seek education in scientific writing, computer programming, delivering scientific presentations, statistics and the analysis of large datasets.
Camellia Okpodu
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Camellia Okpodu: Adatation and fundamental knowledge of botanical terms will always be pivotal to the discipline; however new technologies and applications will move the bountiful the discipline. Bioinformatics, genomics; Machine learning, Remote Sensing and VR (both for instruction and field application) will be necessay skills. Also, Botanists will collaborate with experts from diverse fields (ecology, computer science, engineering) thus making effective communication and teamwork critical.skills of the future
Alison Hamilton
Assistant Teaching ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Alison Hamilton: (As an aside----You do realize that you have asked this question of an academic biologist, right? Someone who spent way too much time in school earning way too many degrees and living on very little money until finally getting a “real” job after 16 years of post-graduate training and education……and still makes less than some of my students do when they graduate…..:) This is clearly something that I know NOTHING about😊)
Again, I think that having some experience will help. If you worked in the industry for 6 months while working on your degree you may be able to start at a higher salary than someone with no previous experience. The same may well be true for having in-demand coding or data analysis skills or even for experience with developing professional looking presentations, websites, or podcasts. Expertise and experience could result in a better offer and they will certainly increase interest in your resume.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alison Hamilton: The co-op advisers at UML work with lots of different employers in this area and they have told me that in addition to laboratory skills (which all of our biology majors have lots of exposure to) they are looking for students with strong written and oral communication skills. Other skills in demand are critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills. Given the innovations and new technologies in scientific fields, expertise in a particular technique or methodology may become less essential or be learned on the job, yet strong communication skills and expertise in data analysis will remain sought after by employers across the biological sciences.
Getting hands on experience and exposure to research is a great way to discover what you love, make your resume stand out and build professional relationships and networks that can help you secure a job when you graduate. I know that many of the students in Biological Sciences at UML who participated in a co-op with a local employer went on to work for that company after graduation.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Alison Hamilton: Be sure to emphasize your strengths—even if they might not seem directly applicable to a position you are interested in. Your resume should include techniques, skills, and approaches with which you have experience, but think about other things you have accomplished, whether paid or volunteer. You don’t know when your language skills, fundraising experience, public speaking, partnership with a local community non-profit, or teenage years helping with the family fishing or farming business may matter. Biology is such a diverse discipline and new career pathways using the skills and education inherent in a biology degree are evolving all the time.
Mr. Brian Zimmerman III
Assistant Vice President of Strategic CommunicationsEarlham College
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Brian Zimmerman III: An emerging trend in my particular field is deep-sequencing or "big data" analysis. Many techniques that investigate the identities, regulation, and networks of biological molecules are high-throughput, meaning they generate huge quantities of data that require specialized programs and training to analyze. Developing a background in bioinformatics, data literacy, programming, or computer science will definitely make a student highly marketable and sought after when on the job market. There are several online and in-person courses, workshops, and webinars to learn about these techniques and the accompanying data analysis; I encourage recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates to explore these opportunities as these skills are transferrable to several disciplines and career paths.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dulanjani Wijayasekara Ph.D.: Research skills and data analysis for pharmaceutical and drug development companies, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Medical laboratory sciences
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Ross Weatherman Ph.D.: Generally, broad training across a number of different types of biochemical and molecular biology methods will make you an attractive candidate to a larger number of employers and expand your potential options, but deep skills in one or two really important techniques areas, such as proteomics or bioinformatics, will make you most attractive to a single employer and improve your salary potential.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ross Weatherman Ph.D.: Being able to communicate effectively, whether it is in-person or remotely, is still probably the most important skill for any graduate, but as more work is being split up among sites, the ability to add value to those more delocalized work environments is really important. Also, the ability to handle big data sets and the awareness of how best to visualize and explain these types of large data sets will become more important.
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Vicki Singer Ph.D.: The biggest difference in what one would do on a daily basis as a bioscientist is between someone entering professional life with an undergraduate versus a graduate degree rather than on the specific discipline one chooses to study.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Vicki Singer Ph.D.: Postdoctoral training may become more and more essential, to allow new entrants to effectively compete with other highly trained professionals re-entering the workforce after recent pharma/biopharma layoffs.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Prajay Patel Ph.D.: As high throughput instruments and supercomputers continue to generate massive amounts of data, learn how to do tasks with programming languages like Python for larger scale data analysis and visualization. However, communicating effectively, working well in team-based environments, one’s writing ability, and the ability to handle multiple projects/experiments at the same time are all valuable soft skills that one should build regardless of any new trends in a particular field.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nathaniel Stern: Computational and programming skills are always useful in many fields. This will continue, since much of physics is highly specialized and benefits from new advances. Writing and speaking will continue to matter. High quality communication brings success and recognition to one’s technical work. As one proceeds deeper into scientific career, this communication becomes more important, not less. New technologies change the mode of communication, but they do not replace the natural and learned skills that make one effective at communicating with and convincing other.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael Marchetti: I think that in the next few years, it will be important to have some wide range of skills across a diversity of sub-disciplines. For example, GIS (geographic information skills), R statistical programming language, modern genetic and genomic techniques, computer programming skills etc. Again, it seems that hard and fast borders/walls separating disciplinary fields are breaking down as our knowledge of the larger biological world expands.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meghan McGee-Lawrence Ph.D.: That really depends on the field you go into, but as is common these days, I’d have to say that A.I. / machine learning is certainly increasing in relevance. From a research perspective, there is widespread interest in using these emerging technologies to offer new ways to address scientific questions, and from an education perspective, A.I. is likely here to stay – so we need to continually review and improve upon how we are delivering educational experiences to students in light of how technology is evolving. I also think having the ability to collect, work with, and understand “big data’-type datasets is becoming essential in scientific fields – whether you are collecting these sequencing- and “omics”-based datasets yourself, or simply working with the multitude of studies that are now publicly available in data repositories, there is a wealth of information available if you know how to use it.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Meghan McGee-Lawrence Ph.D.: Cast a wide net! A huge variety of career paths can be pursued with a degree like this, including industry, academic research, healthcare, education, and more. It is a very versatile degree, and can be a foundation for a multitude of different professions. Talk to recent graduates from your program (as many as possible!) and see what they did with their degree – the more information you can collect, the better prepared you’ll be to seek out opportunities yourself. Take the time to figure out where your interests lie – and understand that you may have to try a few different paths out before you find the right one for you. The first position you land after graduation doesn’t have to be the job you perform for the next 30 years of your life – so use each opportunity as a learning experience to figure out what you’d really like to do long-term.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Michael Marks: I think using AI as a research tool is going to be big in the near future. Learn the ins and outs of an AI platform or two and observe how others are using it in research (e.g., creating stimuli, interacting with participants).
Maureen Dunbar PhD
Program Chair/Associate Professor of BiologyPennsylvania State University - Berks
Information Science/Studies
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Maureen Dunbar PhD: The most important skill is flexibility and the ability to be a self-learner. Laboratory sciences change incredibly fast, and it is important to keep up with the changes and to be willing and able to learn new techniques and skills.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Kristopher Koudelka Ph.D.: Always keep learning. These fields change fast! The leading edge is always unveiling new information that can be applied to the area you are working on, and there will be new techniques developed that allow you to answer questions in more efficient ways. You must learn to regularly update yourself through conversations, reading, conferences, and trainings. This change is fun and exciting, embrace it. It will keep your job feeling new.
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski Ph.D.: Traditional fisheries skills such as setting and lifting nets, and collecting biological data from fish will continue to be important. Managing, analyzing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and statistical software are also essential in fisheries. Other skills such as acoustic telemetry (deploying & maintaining receivers, implanting fish with transmitters), analyzing spatial data or other 'big data' sets, and laboratory skills (e.g., eDNA, water quality, emerging contaminants) are likely to increase in demand as technologies continue to develop.
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Jacob Nordman: Salary potential in my field of neuroscience almost always involves publications, awards, and technical acumen. Therefore, as I mentioned, it is important to start early looking for opportunities that can strengthen these areas. Another important aspect of getting high-profile, and thus high-paying, positions, is being able to tell a story with your research and career. Employers want to see that you have thought deeply and strategically about your career and where it’s going. This will allow them to believe you are a safe bet and worthy of their investment.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Jacob Nordman: In the field of neuroscience, the field is increasingly concerned with cellular and pathway specificity – what are the cell types and pathway that control ever-specific physiological functions. Some tools necessary to probe these questions include the powerful single-cell RNA sequencing method, genetic tools like optogenetics and chemogenetics that allow for neural pathway-specific manipulations, and increasingly sophisticated computer models that incorporate machine learning and artificial intelligence. These techniques will only become more precise and integral, so familiarity with them now will set you up to learn the newer versions later.
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Jennifer Slate PhD: Because there are so many types of jobs in biology, there is a job to suit everyone! Jobs may be people-oriented, focus primarily on labwork, or even allow one to spend time outdoors. Many (but not all) jobs in biology require further education after finishing the bachelor’s degree. Biology graduates often go on to health professional programs, to obtain teaching certification, or to obtain a master’s or PhD degree.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Slate PhD: There is currently a huge demand for workers in biology and other STEM professions. Healthcare workers are especially needed in nursing, medicine, and physical therapy. There is a shortage of teachers, particularly those who can teach biology or other sciences. The huge amount of biological data that is available, such as in genetics and environmental biology, means that scientists with analytical skills have great job opportunities.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Slate PhD: There are so many different types of jobs in biology, to suit people of different interests. Biologists work in health care, in research labs, in environmental protection, and in teaching- just to name a few fields. Responsibilities on a day-to-day basis will depend upon the particular job field. Common skills required on a daily basis include use of computer software, ability to make and record detailed observations, and teamwork/communication skills.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Falk Huettmann: FH Biology is a very big topic and a large discipline. Many biologists work on microbiological aspects. In my case our graduates often do biodiversity and species work, employing data, using geographic information system (GIS) mapping and modeling predictions using machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for environmental applications worldwide, e.g. climate change, impact and risk assessments. That's a big field for employment across the board.
What will help Computational Biologists increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
What general advice would you give to a Computational Biologist?
Danielle Silvia: There are many emerging trends and changes in the natural world making biology a fascinating career to embark on. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of biology is predicted to see a 5% increase in job growth through 2032, as biologists are in high demand across areas such as healthcare, environmental science, sustainability, biotechnology, and more. Due to pressing issues like climate change, the disappearance of species and nature, public health crises, drug development, and genetic engineering, becoming a biologist today will provide career advancement tomorrow. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in important areas of society while pursuing an intellectually stimulating career for the long-term.
What Computational Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Danielle Silvia: A day in the life of a biologist typically involves researching various forms of life, such as bacteria, animals, plants, how they impact the world around them, and vice versa. Biologists may run experiments to work towards answering these questions, using some of the latest and greatest scientific tools and techniques in a laboratory setting. The job scope also includes collecting and reviewing data from research and experiments, and creating reports based on findings to solve important problems. Biologists work at all levels on organisms from the molecular to the whole organism to populations.