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Bioinformatics Scientists

Occupation · SOC 19-1029.01

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.

Also called: Bioinformaticist · Bioinformatics Scientist · Research Scientist · Scientist · Research Associate · Scientific Database Curator · Bioinformatician · Bioinformatics Analyst · Bioinformatics Associate · Bioinformatics Computer Scientist · Bioinformatics Consultant · Bioinformatics Data Analyst

Job family: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

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AI work map

A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.

Often handed to AI

Task areas most often handled directively in observed AI conversations — candidates to delegate with light review.

  • Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs. · 31.2%
  • Analyze large molecular datasets such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, and proteomics data for clinical or basic research purposes. · 3.8%
  • Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, and gene function determination. · 1.7%
See how AI is used here →

Use as a copilot

Task areas where people work with AI — iterating, learning, or checking — staying in the loop rather than handing the task off.

  • Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools. · 2.6%
  • Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. · 1.4%
  • Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports. · 1.3%
See collaboration patterns →

Keep a human in the loop

Task areas where a human was still judged necessary in a large share of observed conversations — not a safety ruling, an observed-need signal.

  • Recommend new systems and processes to improve operations. · 97.4% need a human
  • Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. · 95.0% need a human
  • Prepare summary statistics of information regarding human genomes. · 91.9% need a human
See the boundary tasks →

87th-percentile task overlap — yet about 4,800 openings a year (+1.2% projected, BLS), and observed AI use leans 4454% copilot, not hand-off (AEI) . What exposure means →

AI & job outlook

What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.

Exposure to current AI

Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.

Measure Rank vs all occupations Percentile Score
Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) High 74th 1.0
LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) High 95th 1.0
AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) High 77th 0.2

OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.4), with simple added tooling (β 0.7), and including AI-powered software (γ 1.0). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.

Most of this job's tasks can be done remotely (Dingel–Neiman), which tends to track with higher digital and AI exposure.

Historical automation estimate (2013)

A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.

Frey–Osborne probability 0.0 · 11th percentile among occupations · Low

How AI is actually used in this job

Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.

Develop data models and databases. 10.1%
Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs. 9.1%
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports. 2.8%
Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases. 2.2%
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. 1.8%
Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools. 1.7%

Job outlook

Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.

Outlook About average · +1.2% by 2034
Projected annual openings 4,800
Employment 2024 → 2034 63,700 → 64,500

“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.

Where this work sits on the global GenAI gradient

The ILO's 2025 global study scores generative-AI exposure on the international ISCO-08 occupation system, not US SOC. Bridged through the published (and approximate, many-to-many) IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 crosswalk, this US occupation corresponds to the international occupation below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.

40% mean task exposure (2025)
77th percentile of 427 placed occupations
+5 pts shift 2023 → 2025
International occupation (ISCO-08) Task exposure (2025) Most tasks fall in
Biologists, Botanists, Zoologists and Related Professionals · 2131 40% Gradient 2

Read the whole six-band gradient on the GenAI exposure gradient page. The crosswalk is approximate: a US occupation can map to several international ones, and the ILO scores describe the international occupation, not this exact US role.

Working with AI in this job

How people actually apply AI to this occupation's tasks, from Claude.ai (Free and Pro) conversations in the Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15. This is one AI assistant's consumer sample — not all AI, not the whole workforce. Autonomy and the collaboration mix are model-rated estimates; figures below the sample floor are hidden.

Augmentation vs. automation 44.5% working with AI · 48.5% handed to AI
Most common way people use AI here Directive · AI does it; you give the instruction
Typical AI autonomy 4.0 / 5 · higher = AI acts more independently
Used for work (vs. personal / coursework) 55.5%

What people delegate to AI

The role's most common tasks in AI conversations, each tagged with how people work with the AI on it. “Usage” is the share of observed conversations, not of the job.

Task How Usage
Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs. Directive 31.2%
Analyze large molecular datasets such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, and proteomics data for clinical or basic research purposes. Feedback loop 3.8%
Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools. Learning 2.6%
Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, and gene function determination. Directive 1.7%
Develop data models and databases. Directive 1.4%
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. Learning 1.4%
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports. Learning 1.3%
Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms. Iteration 0.7%

Where a human is still needed

Tasks where the model most often judged that a person remained necessary — a useful read on the current boundary, not a guarantee.

Recommend new systems and processes to improve operations. 97.4%
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. 95.0%
Prepare summary statistics of information regarding human genomes. 91.9%
Develop data models and databases. 89.9%
Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools. 89.2%
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports. 88.5%

What people most often hand AI here

Example prompts phrased from the tasks people most often delegate to AI in this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index). Each shows the underlying measured task and its share of observed AI use. They are suggested phrasings of real tasks — starting points, not endorsed instructions.

  • Help me develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.

    From: Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs. · 31.2% of measured AI use · directive

  • Help me analyze large molecular datasets such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, and proteomics data for clinical or basic research purposes.

    From: Analyze large molecular datasets such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, and proteomics data for clinical or basic research purposes. · 3.8% of measured AI use · feedback loop

  • Help me instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools.

    From: Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools. · 2.6% of measured AI use · learning

  • Help me provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, and gene function determination.

    From: Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, and gene function determination. · 1.7% of measured AI use · directive

Tasks

All 20 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.

Work activities

Knowledge, skills & abilities

O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).

Knowledge

Biology 4.8
Computers and Electronics 4.6
Mathematics 4.3
English Language 4.2
Chemistry 3.6
Education and Training 3.3

Abilities

Written Comprehension 4.3
Written Expression 4.3
Oral Comprehension 4.1
Oral Expression 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0
Inductive Reasoning 4.0
Information Ordering 4.0
Fluency of Ideas 3.9
Mathematical Reasoning 3.9
Originality 3.8
Category Flexibility 3.8
Near Vision 3.8
Number Facility 3.6
Flexibility of Closure 3.4
Selective Attention 3.4
Speech Recognition 3.4
Speech Clarity 3.4
Memorization 3.1

Essential skills

Reading Comprehension 4.1
Critical Thinking 4.1
Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Writing 3.9
Science 3.8
Active Learning 3.6
Mathematics 3.5
Monitoring 3.4

Transferable skills

Complex Problem Solving 4.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.6
Time Management 3.4
Social Perceptiveness 3.3
Systems Analysis 3.3
Systems Evaluation 3.3

Skills in demand

Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.

Showing the top 40 of 51.

Tools & technology

Example Category
Amazon Web Services AWS software Data base user interface and query software Hot technology In demand
Bash Operating system software Hot technology In demand
C Development environment software Hot technology In demand
C++ Object or component oriented development software Hot technology In demand
Docker Application server software Hot technology In demand
Git File versioning software Hot technology In demand
GitHub Application server software Hot technology In demand
Linux Operating system software Hot technology In demand
Oracle Java Object or component oriented development software Hot technology In demand
Perl Object or component oriented development software Hot technology In demand
Python Object or component oriented development software Hot technology In demand
R Object or component oriented development software Hot technology In demand
Structured query language SQL Data base user interface and query software Hot technology In demand
The MathWorks MATLAB Analytical or scientific software Hot technology In demand
UNIX Operating system software Hot technology In demand
Apache Hadoop Data base management system software Hot technology
C# Object or component oriented development software Hot technology
Django Web platform development software Hot technology
Extensible markup language XML Enterprise application integration software Hot technology
Hypertext markup language HTML Web platform development software Hot technology
IBM SPSS Statistics Analytical or scientific software Hot technology
JavaScript Web platform development software Hot technology
JavaScript Object Notation JSON Web platform development software Hot technology
jQuery Object or component oriented development software Hot technology
Microsoft Access Data base user interface and query software Hot technology
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Web platform development software Hot technology
Microsoft Azure software Development environment software Hot technology
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software Hot technology
Microsoft Office software Office suite software Hot technology
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation software Hot technology
Microsoft SharePoint Document management software Hot technology
Microsoft SQL Server Data base management system software Hot technology
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS Object or component oriented development software Hot technology
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Development environment software Hot technology
Microsoft Visual Studio Development environment software Hot technology
MySQL Data base management system software Hot technology
NoSQL Data base management system software Hot technology
Oracle Database Data base user interface and query software Hot technology
Oracle PL/SQL Data base management system software Hot technology
PHP Web platform development software Hot technology

Showing the top 40 of 93.

Work context

How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.

E-Mail 5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.9
Spend Time Sitting 4.8
Freedom to Make Decisions 4.8
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals 4.8
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team 4.7
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled 4.5
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate 4.5
Telephone Conversations 4.3
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities 4.1
Level of Competition 4.1
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers 4.0
Contact With Others 3.7
Time Pressure 3.4
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results 3.4
Written Letters and Memos 3.2
Public Speaking 3.1
Frequency of Decision Making 3.1
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls 3.0
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks 3.0
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions 2.7
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General 2.4
Physical Proximity 2.4
Conflict Situations 2.2
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable 2.1
Health and Safety of Other Workers 2.1
Consequence of Error 2.1
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People 2.0
Spend Time Standing 1.7
Degree of Automation 1.7
Exposed to Disease or Infections 1.6
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions 1.4
Spend Time Walking or Running 1.4
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions 1.3
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled 1.3
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures 1.2
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions 1.2
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment 1.2
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets 1.2
Outdoors, Under Cover 1.2

How to get in

Job zone
Zone 5 — Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
Related experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Preparation level
SVP (8.0 and above) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.

What to study: Biological and Biomedical Sciences , Mathematics and Statistics , Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies , Psychology . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.

Education of current workers

Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.

Post-Doctoral Training 32.3%
Master's Degree 16.3%
Doctoral Degree 13.9%
Post-Master's Certificate 3.9%

Interests & work styles

The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.

Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)

Investigative 7.0
Conventional 5.0
Realistic 3.8
Artistic 2.5

Interest areas

Mathematics/Statistics 6.3
Information Technology 6.1
Life Science 5.8
Medical Science 5.7
Physical Science 3.2
Health Care Service 3.0
Engineering 2.8

Work styles

Dependability 6.0
Attention to Detail 5.0
Intellectual Curiosity 4.0
Achievement Orientation 3.0
Innovation 2.6

Wages & employment

U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)

$55k10th$68k25th$93kMedian$121k75th$160k90th
Annual wages by percentile — U.S. (BLS OEWS). The light band spans the 10th–90th percentile; the darker band is the middle half (25th–75th); the line is the median.
64k202465k2034 (proj.)+1.2% · About average
Projected U.S. employment, 2024–2034 (BLS Employment Projections). A labor-market forecast for the occupation, not an AI-impact forecast.
10th percentile $54,500
25th percentile $67,950
Median (50th) $93,330
75th percentile $121,350
90th percentile $159,780
People employed 59,710

Wages and employment are reported by BLS for the broader occupation group this specialty belongs to (SOC 19-1029), not for the specialty alone.

Industries that employ this occupation

Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.

Industry Workers National median pay
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector 21,620 $97,840
Educational Services · Sector 5,590 $63,290
Manufacturing · Sector 4,180 $108,160
Health Care and Social Assistance · Sector 2,440 $91,830
Wholesale Trade · Sector 1,200 $103,890
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector 900 $92,020
Testing Laboratories and Services · National industry 880 $61,800
Engineering Services · National industry 800 $85,560
Temporary Help Services · National industry 660 $82,570
Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector 550 $122,580
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities · National industry 220 $98,890
Other Services (except Public Administration) · Sector 200 $64,090

Where this work is most concentrated

Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).

Industry Concentration Workers
Testing Laboratories and Services · National industry 13.34× 880
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities · National industry 9.35× 220
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector 5.18× 21,620
Engineering Services · National industry 1.79× 800
Educational Services · Sector 1.06× 5,590
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting · Sector 0.85× 140
Manufacturing · Sector 0.85× 4,180
Temporary Help Services · National industry 0.64× 660

Part of the Agriculture , Energy & Natural Resources and Healthcare & Human Services career clusters.

Exposure quadrant: AI task-overlap percentile vs Median pay Bioinformatics Scientists sits at the 87th percentile of AI task-overlap and the 78th percentile of median pay, placed here against 11 adjacent occupations on the same two axes. Lower overlap · higher pay Higher overlap · higher pay Higher overlap · lower pay Lower overlap · lower pay Bioinformatics Scientists Biological Technicians Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians Biochemists and Biophysicists Bioinformatics Technicians Data Scientists AI task-overlap percentile → ↑ Median pay
AI task-overlap percentile (horizontal) vs. median-pay percentile (vertical), across all scored occupations. This occupation is highlighted; related occupations are plotted alongside it. Overlap measures shared tasks with AI, not automation.

Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.

What you can do with this

Options the data surfaces for Bioinformatics Scientists — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.

Skills that travel

Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.

Paths in

How people typically prepare for this work.

Zoom out

On the global GenAI exposure gradient this work sits around the 77th percentile of 427 international occupations.

Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation

Bioinformatics Scientists show 87th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 4,800 annual U.S. openings

  • Bioinformatics Scientists rank in the 87th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
  • The occupation is projected to see about 4,800 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
  • BLS projects employment to be about average (+1.2%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
  • Median annual pay is $93,330, across about 59,710 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
  • Of the AI use actually observed for this work, 45% looks like augmentation (drafting, iterating, checking) rather than hands-off automation — from a Claude.ai usage sample, not a census.2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2
Copy the whole kit
Bioinformatics Scientists show 87th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 4,800 annual U.S. openings

• Bioinformatics Scientists rank in the 87th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE)
• The occupation is projected to see about 4,800 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34)
• BLS projects employment to be about average (+1.2%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34)
• Median annual pay is $93,330, across about 59,710 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024))
• Of the AI use actually observed for this work, 45% looks like augmentation (drafting, iterating, checking) rather than hands-off automation — from a Claude.ai usage sample, not a census. (2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2)

Source: Singulariki — "Bioinformatics Scientists". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-19-1029-01
Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.

AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom

Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

Cite this page
Plain

Singulariki. "Bioinformatics Scientists." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-19-1029-01

APA

Singulariki. (2026). Bioinformatics Scientists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-19-1029-01

BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-19-1029-01,
  title  = {Bioinformatics Scientists},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-19-1029-01}
}

Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.

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