# Bioinformatics Scientists

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists
- SOC code: 19-1029.01
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $98,920 (10th percentile $60,430, 90th percentile $168,010)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.7%
- Openings a year: 4,300
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Biological scientists, all other".

## Interest profile (code ICR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 47 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 25 |
| Social (S) | 11 |
| Enterprising (E) | 4 |
| Conventional (C) | 67 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 96/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 94/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 92/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 91/100)
- Processing Information (importance 88/100)
- Getting Information (importance 86/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 82/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 79/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 78/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Science, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Mathematics, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Biology, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Education and Training, Physics, Administration and Management, Design

## Also called

Bioinformatician, Bioinformaticist, Bioinformatics Associate, Bioinformatics Computer Scientist, Bioinformatics Developer, Bioinformatics Engineer, Bioinformatics Programmer, Bioinformatics Research Associate, Bioinformatics Research Scientist, Bioinformatics Research Specialist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Biology, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2601) (CIP 2601, 1,703 colleges)
- [Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2602) (CIP 2602, 756 colleges)
- [Applied Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2703) (CIP 2703, 426 colleges)
- [Neurobiology and Neurosciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2615) (CIP 2615, 363 colleges)
- [Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2613) (CIP 2613, 353 colleges)
- [Research and Experimental Psychology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4227) (CIP 4227, 327 colleges)
- [Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2609) (CIP 2609, 269 colleges)
- [Biotechnology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2612) (CIP 2612, 234 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2604) (CIP 2604, 182 colleges)
- [Microbiological Sciences and Immunology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2605) (CIP 2605, 169 colleges)
- [Nutrition Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3019) (CIP 3019, 167 colleges)
- [Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2699) (CIP 2699, 152 colleges)
- [Zoology/Animal Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2607) (CIP 2607, 125 colleges)
- [Pharmacology and Toxicology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2610) (CIP 2610, 109 colleges)
- [Genetics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2608) (CIP 2608, 91 colleges)
- [Botany/Plant Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2603) (CIP 2603, 80 colleges)
- [Human Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3027) (CIP 3027, 42 colleges)
- Marine Sciences (CIP 3032, 40 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Applied Mathematics | $145,554 | $170,689 | not reported |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Applied Mathematics | $135,449 | $157,822 | $8,125 |
| [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stevens-institute-of-technology-2604) | Applied Mathematics | $105,295 | $156,419 | $23,250 |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Applied Mathematics | not reported | $148,740 | $17,250 |
| [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dartmouth-college-769) | Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $60,266 | $143,067 | not reported |
| [Carlow University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carlow-university-405) | Biology, General | $42,599 | $134,677 | $26,774 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | not reported | $124,242 | not reported |
| [University of California-San Diego UCSD](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-san-diego-ucsd-2887) | Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | $90,963 | $123,320 | $18,145 |

## Related careers

- [Bioinformatics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-technicians): $81,490 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Molecular and Cellular Biologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molecular-and-cellular-biologists): $98,920 median pay
- [Geneticists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geneticists): $98,920 median pay
- [Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioengineers-and-biomedical-engineers): $109,370 median pay
- [Biostatisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biostatisticians): $105,650 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.