Bioinformatics Jobs in Seattle
Where Tech Giants Meet Genomics - South Lake Union to University District
Why Work in Seattle?
Seattle's bioinformatics market uniquely combines biotech (Fred Hutch, UW Medicine) with tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft) entering healthcare. The University of Washington is a powerhouse in genomics and computational biology research, while Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center leads in cancer genomics. Seattle also benefits from tech crossover talent - engineers from Amazon and Microsoft increasingly move into bioinformatics. The city offers strong salaries, no state income tax, and beautiful natural surroundings.
Market Overview
- • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center - leading cancer genomics research
- • University of Washington top-10 for bioinformatics programs
- • Tech crossover: Amazon Science, Microsoft Healthcare initiatives
- • No state income tax (9.3% effective salary boost vs. California)
- • Allen Institute for Brain Science and Cell Science
- • Strong immunotherapy and vaccine research (HDT Bio, Adaptive)
- • Growing startup scene with strong VC funding
Top Biotech Companies in Seattle
The Seattle biotech ecosystem includes major companies like Bristol Myers Squibb, Umoja Biopharma, Truveta, Xaira Therapeutics, Allen Institute, and many emerging startups. Browse all companies →
Cost of Living
Seattle is expensive but manageable compared to SF or Boston. Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,900-2,600/month in central neighborhoods like Capitol Hill or Fremont, and $1,400-1,900 in suburbs like Shoreline or Northgate. The lack of state income tax significantly boosts take-home pay (9.3% more than California). Weather is rainy but mild. Car optional with good public transit.
Salary Ranges
Median posted minimum to median posted maximum for Seattle postings that disclose annual pay in USD, by seniority. Levels with fewer than 6 such postings are not shown. See our Bioinformatics Salary Guide for national figures.
Senior
$148K-$183K
9 postings · national $131K-$190K
14 Bioinformatics Jobs in Seattle
Senior Scientist, Translational Informatics and Predictive Sciences
Senior Manager, Clinical & Statistical Programming
Principal Scientist, Cell Therapy Translational Biology Research
Scientist I - ML/AI algorithms for Multimodal Foundational Models for Gene Regulation
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Seattle compare to other biotech hubs?
Seattle ranks #4 for bioinformatics (after Boston, SF, San Diego) but is growing rapidly. It combines strong academic research (UW, Fred Hutch) with tech giant resources (Amazon, Microsoft entering healthcare). The no state income tax is a huge financial advantage. Quality of life is excellent with outdoor access.
What are the top bioinformatics employers in Seattle?
Top employers include Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (cancer genomics), University of Washington (research), Allen Institute (brain/cell science), Adaptive Biotechnologies (immunotherapy), Juno Therapeutics (now Bristol Myers Squibb), and increasingly Amazon Science and Microsoft Healthcare AI teams.
Can I transition from tech to bioinformatics in Seattle?
Absolutely. Seattle is ideal for tech-to-bio transitions. Many engineers from Amazon and Microsoft move into bioinformatics, leveraging their software/ML skills. Companies value engineering excellence, and UW offers continuing education programs. The tech culture translates well to computational biology.
How significant is the no state income tax advantage?
Very significant. Washington has no state income tax, meaning you keep 9.3% more take-home pay compared to California. A $150K salary in Seattle is equivalent to ~$165K in SF after taxes. This makes Seattle salaries extremely competitive despite appearing lower on paper.
What's the bioinformatics startup scene like?
Growing but smaller than Boston or SF. Notable startups include HDT Bio (vaccines), Ozette (immunology), and several diagnostics companies. Funding is strong thanks to Seattle's VC ecosystem and tech wealth. Many startups spin out of Fred Hutch or UW research. Less crowded than other markets.