Bioinformatics
Salary Guide 2026
Real salary data from job postings
Based on 406 jobs with disclosed salaries • Last updated: Apr 1, 2026
Bioinformatics salaries in the United States vary significantly by role, experience level, and location. Entry-level bioinformatics scientists typically earn $70,000-$95,000 in Boston, while senior computational biologists at top biotech companies can command $180,000-$250,000+ in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The highest-paying biotech hubs are San Francisco/South San Francisco, Boston/Cambridge, and San Diego. Remote positions typically match Boston-level salaries.
Base salary is only part of the picture. Total compensation in biotech typically includes annual bonuses (10-20% of base), equity grants (RSUs or stock options worth $10k-$50k+/year at public companies), sign-on bonuses, and benefits like 401k matching. At senior levels, equity can represent 20-40% of total comp. Learn more in our Total Compensation Guide →
Average Range
$143k - $212k
Median
$155k
Top 25%
$175k+
Data Coverage
44%
406/931 jobs
Bioinformatics Salary by Experience Level
How much do bioinformaticians make at different career stages? Here's a breakdown of bioinformatics scientist salaries in the USA by years of experience:
| Experience Level | Years | Base Salary | Total Comp* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level / Scientist I | 0-2 years | $75,000 - $100,000 | $85,000 - $120,000 |
| Mid-Level / Scientist II | 2-5 years | $100,000 - $140,000 | $120,000 - $175,000 |
| Senior Scientist | 5-8 years | $140,000 - $180,000 | $170,000 - $230,000 |
| Principal Scientist | 8-12 years | $175,000 - $230,000 | $220,000 - $300,000 |
| Director / Head of Bioinformatics | 12+ years | $220,000 - $300,000 | $300,000 - $450,000+ |
*Total compensation includes base salary + annual bonus (10-25%) + equity (RSUs/options). Bay Area and Boston typically pay 10-20% above these ranges.
Bioinformatics Salary by Degree
Does a PhD increase bioinformatics salary? Here's how education level affects compensation in the US:
Bachelor's Degree
$65K - $95K
Entry-level positions. Often titled "Research Associate" or "Bioinformatics Analyst". Can advance to $120K+ with experience.
Master's Degree
$85K - $130K
Most common entry point. Titled "Bioinformatics Scientist I/II". Ceiling around $180K at senior levels.
PhD
$110K - $160K
Higher starting salary. Required for many research roles. Can reach $250K+ as Principal Scientist or Director.
Key insight: A PhD adds ~$20-30K to starting salary, but Master's + 3-4 years experience often matches PhD starting compensation. The PhD advantage grows at senior levels where research leadership is required.
Bioinformatics vs Related Fields
How does bioinformatics salary compare to data science, biostatistics, and computational biology?
| Field | Entry Level | Mid Level | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics Scientist | $85K - $110K | $120K - $160K | $170K - $220K |
| Computational Biologist | $90K - $115K | $125K - $170K | $180K - $240K |
| Biostatistician | $80K - $105K | $110K - $150K | $160K - $210K |
| Data Scientist (Tech) | $100K - $140K | $150K - $200K | $200K - $300K |
| ML Engineer (Biotech) | $110K - $150K | $160K - $210K | $220K - $320K |
Note: Tech data science pays higher but biotech offers better work-life balance and job stability. ML roles in biotech command premiums due to AI/drug discovery intersection.
Salary Distribution
Most bioinformatics jobs offer salaries in the $100k-$150k range. The gap between minimum and maximum reflects negotiation room and experience levels within each role.
Top Paying Roles
Genentech Fellow, Frontier Research, AI for Drug Discovery
1 job
$288k - $534k
Machine Learning Research Lead, Alzheimer's Disease Initiative
1 job
$339k - $401k
Executive Director, Computational Biology - Oncology
3 jobs
$250k - $464k
Head of Machine Learning, Cell Biology
1 job
$315k - $360k
Head of Statistical Programming
1 job
$257k - $386k
TA Head of Biostatistics, Neuroscience and Ophthalmology
1 job
$233k - $388k
Director, Generative AI Applications
1 job
$215k - $398k
Director, Generative AI Foundation
1 job
$215k - $398k
Senior Director Evidence Delivery- Statistical Programming
2 jobs
$254k - $349k
Biostatistics Oncology Lead, Early Development
3 jobs
$207k - $385k
Intern Salaries
10 positionsSummer internships in bioinformatics typically pay $30k-$50k for the 10-12 week program (equivalent to $25-45/hour). Top companies like Genentech and Moderna offer the highest intern compensation.
| Position | Company | Location | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Future Talent Program - Bioinformatics Intern | Merck | Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA | $40k - $106k |
| Software Graduate Intern, Autonomous Lab | Ginkgobioworks | Emeryville, California | $45k - $64k |
| Software Graduate Intern, Autonomous Lab | Ginkgobioworks | Emeryville, California | $45k - $64k |
| 2026 Intern, Biostatistics and Programming | Moderna | Boston, MA | $20k - $60k |
| Biomarker Statistics Summer 2026 Intern | Sanofi | Cambridge, MA | $55k - $60k |
| 2026 Intern, Biostatistics and Programming | Moderna | Cambridge, Massachusetts | $20k - $60k |
| Research Scientist Intern - Computational Biology (Seed AI-for-Science) - 2026 Start (PhD) | ByteDance | Seattle, WA | $57k - $57k |
| Software Intern, Autonomous Lab | Ginkgobioworks | Emeryville, California | $38k - $54k |
| 2026 Summer Intern - Computational Sciences Center of Excellence AI for Drug Discovery | Genentech | New York City | $45k - $50k |
| 2026 Summer Intern - Proteomic and Genomic Technologies | Genentech | South San Francisco | $40k - $46k |
Salary by Company
| Company | Jobs | Avg Range | Top Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc Institute | 2 | $287k - $346k | $401k |
| Nuvalent, Inc. | 3 | $265k - $300k | $300k |
| Novartis | 4 | $186k - $345k | $345k |
| Insitro | 4 | $232k - $278k | $360k |
| Centessa Pharmaceuticals | 3 | $190k - $250k | $250k |
| AstraZeneca | 5 | $175k - $262k | $386k |
| PTC Therapeutics | 2 | $190k - $233k | $260k |
| Freenome | 105 | $175k - $246k | $284k |
| Recursion | 4 | $178k - $239k | $298k |
| Valo Health | 11 | $176k - $235k | $285k |
| Genentech | 56 | $149k - $259k | $534k |
| Boehringer Ingelheim | 6 | $155k - $246k | $269k |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | 6 | $174k - $225k | $306k |
| Takeda | 5 | $155k - $244k | $274k |
| Johnson & Johnson | 3 | $145k - $249k | $276k |
Salary by Location
Salary by Role & Location
| Role | Location | Jobs | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | Boston | 27 | $129k - $208k |
| Principal/Director | Boston | 23 | $168k - $256k |
| ML Engineer | Boston | 14 | $117k - $171k |
| Biostatistics | Boston | 12 | $165k - $216k |
| Computational Biology | San Francisco | 12 | $146k - $215k |
| Computational Biology | Boston | 11 | $98k - $132k |
| ML Engineer | San Francisco | 8 | $197k - $290k |
| Principal/Director | San Francisco | 7 | $178k - $330k |
| Biostatistics | San Francisco | 6 | $186k - $304k |
| Senior Scientist | Boston | 6 | $113k - $157k |
| Computational Biology | New York | 5 | $183k - $240k |
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Open Salary CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions About Bioinformatics Salaries
What is the average bioinformatics salary in the USA?
The average bioinformatics scientist salary in the USA ranges from $85,000-$130,000 depending on experience and location. Entry-level positions start at $70,000-$95,000, while senior roles at top biotech companies can reach $180,000-$250,000+.
How much do bioinformaticians make per year?
Bioinformaticians in the USA make $85,000 to $250,000+ per year depending on experience. Entry-level bioinformaticians earn $75,000-$100,000, mid-level make $100,000-$150,000, and senior bioinformatics scientists earn $150,000-$220,000. Directors and principals can exceed $300,000 total compensation.
Which cities pay the highest bioinformatics salaries?
The San Francisco Bay Area pays the highest bioinformatics salaries, followed by Boston/Cambridge, Seattle, and San Diego. SF Bay Area offers 15-25% premium over other regions due to high cost of living and concentration of top biotech companies like Genentech, Gilead, and Illumina.
Is bioinformatics a good paying career?
Yes, bioinformatics is a well-paying career. Starting salaries range from $75,000-$110,000 for entry-level positions, significantly higher than many other biology careers. The field offers strong salary growth, with senior positions paying $180,000-$250,000+. Job stability is excellent due to growing demand in pharma, biotech, and healthcare.
What is the highest paying bioinformatics job?
The highest paying bioinformatics jobs are Director/VP of Bioinformatics ($250,000-$400,000+), Principal Scientist ($180,000-$280,000), and ML/AI Scientists in drug discovery ($200,000-$350,000). Startups may offer lower base but significant equity upside.
Do I need a PhD for bioinformatics jobs?
A PhD is not always required for bioinformatics jobs. Many positions accept a Master's degree with relevant experience. However, senior scientist and research leadership roles at pharma companies often prefer or require a PhD. Bachelor's degree holders can enter as Research Associates or Analysts.
About This Data
Salary data is sourced directly from job postings on CompBioJobs. All figures are base salaries in USD and may vary based on:
- • Individual skills, experience, and negotiation
- • Company size, funding stage, and compensation philosophy
- • Total compensation (bonus, equity, benefits) not shown
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