Computational Biologist Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Computational Biologist salary lies between USD 108,000 and USD 174,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 15, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Computational Biologist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Computational Biologist job listings are Biology, Python and Research. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Biology | 62 jobs Python | 60 jobs Research | 60 jobs R | 57 jobs Bioinformatics | 56 jobs PhD | 45 jobs Machine Learning | 44 jobs Statistics | 44 jobs Data analysis | 44 jobs Drug discovery | 30 jobs Computer Science | 24 jobs Engineering | 21 jobs Pharma | 20 jobs Pipelines | 16 jobs Agile | 13 jobs R&D | 13 jobs Chemistry | 12 jobs Deep Learning | 11 jobs PyTorch | 11 jobs Data visualization | 11 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Computational Biologist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Computational Biologist job listings are Career development, Health care and Conferences. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 49 jobs Health care | 25 jobs Conferences | 16 jobs Equity / stock options | 14 jobs Flex hours | 14 jobs Startup environment | 14 jobs Parental leave | 12 jobs Medical leave | 12 jobs Salary bonus | 12 jobs Competitive pay | 10 jobs Relocation support | 10 jobs 401(k) matching | 6 jobs Transparency | 5 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Flex vacation | 4 jobs Team events | 3 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Computational Biologist specializing in AI/ML/Data Science can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is divided into three main components: base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration. The base salary is the fixed annual amount and usually constitutes the largest portion of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or company-wide, often range from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration may include stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives, particularly in larger tech companies or startups. In regions like Silicon Valley or New York City, where the cost of living is higher, companies might offer more competitive packages, including higher base salaries and substantial stock options.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider pursuing advanced roles such as Senior Data Scientist, AI/ML Lead, or even transitioning into management positions like Director of Data Science. Gaining expertise in high-demand areas such as deep learning, natural language processing, or bioinformatics can also make you more valuable. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and publishing research can enhance your visibility and open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Additionally, negotiating your salary during performance reviews or when switching jobs can lead to significant increases.

Educational Requirements

Most positions in this field require at least a Master's degree in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related field. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for research-intensive roles or positions in academia. The educational background should include a strong foundation in biology, statistics, and computer science, with coursework or experience in machine learning and data analysis.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise. Certifications in data science and machine learning, such as those offered by Coursera, edX, or Udacity, can be beneficial. Additionally, certifications in specific tools and technologies, such as TensorFlow, AWS Certified Machine Learning, or SAS Certified Data Scientist, can make you more competitive in the job market.

Required Experience

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 3-5 years of experience in computational biology or a related field. Experience with machine learning models, data analysis, and bioinformatics tools is crucial. Practical experience in handling large datasets, programming in languages like Python or R, and familiarity with cloud computing platforms are often required. Experience in interdisciplinary projects that combine biology and data science is highly valued.

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