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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Bioinformatics Scientists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-1029.01

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
  • Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
  • Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.
  • Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
  • Develop data models and databases.
  • Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools.

What it pays

$93,740
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $50,690
Experienced workers reach $139,070
  1. $51k10th
  2. $66k25th
  3. $94kMedian
  4. $120k75th
  5. $139k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $50,690, 25th $65,500, Median $93,740, 75th $120,080, 90th $139,070

About 150 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+26.7%

employment change in the Alamo region, 150 to 190 jobs · U.S. +1%

16

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 4,800

150

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 63,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.9
  2. Critical Thinking4.4
  3. Active Listening4.4
  4. Speaking4.3
  5. Complex Problem Solving4.3
  6. Writing4.8
  7. Science4.1
  8. Active Learning4.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Bachelor's degree34%
  2. Master's degree20%
  3. Doctoral or professional46%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  2. Biology: Pre-Professional

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  3. General Science

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  4. Nutrition

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  5. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  6. Biology

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  7. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  8. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  9. Biology: Pre-Professional

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

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