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Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist in the United States is $164,263 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $196,456
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,857 to $181,114
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $138,652
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salaries

A Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $60,202
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,264
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $104,001
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $147,590
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,056
Levels Salary
Medical R... Level Principal Bioinformatics Scientist$60,202
Medical R... Level Principal Bioinformatics Scientist$85,264
Medical R... Level Principal Bioinformatics Scientist$104,001
Medical R... Level Principal Bioinformatics Scientist$147,590
Principal... Level Principal Bioinformatics Scientist$167,056
View as Graph

How Do Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Principal Bioinformatics Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $181,872.
  • California: $181,182.
  • Massachusetts: $178,767.

Top Paying Cities for Principal Bioinformatics Scientists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $207,185
  • San Francisco: $204,916
  • Oakland: $200,598

What Skills Can Increase a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Confidentiality (Mentioned in 8.94% Job Postings): The process of and obligation to apply and enforce rules and practices that ensure that specific types of information are accessible only to those authorized to use it.
  • Data Collection (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a component of research in all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, and business. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same. The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence that allows analysis to lead to the formulation of convincing and credible answers to the questions that have been posed.
  • Computer Knowledge (Mentioned in 2.03% Job Postings): Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with skill levels ranging from elementary use to computer programming and advanced problem solving.
Skills Demand Percentage
Confidentiality 8.94%
Data Collection 2.22%
Computer Knowledge 2.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's salary.

  • Process Management: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Facilitation: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Research Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Management $192,188
17%
Facilitation $188,902
15%
Research Design $187,260
14%
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Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal Bioinformatics Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Principal Bioinformatics Scientist positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Bioinformatics Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$229,968$111.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$180,689$87.010%

How Education impacts a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Principal Bioinformatics Scientists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $159,282 and $172,692).

Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Principal Bioinformatics Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.3%
High School 8.1%
Associates 27.9%
Bachelors 37.2%
Masters 22.1%
Doctorate 2.3%
View as Graph

Principal Bioinformatics Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$150,857
Average $164,263/year
$181,114
$12,571
Average $13,689/month
$15,093
$2,901
Average $3,159/week
$3,483
$73
Average $79/hour
$87
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $181,114 $15,093 $3,483 $87
Average $164,263 $13,689 $3,159 $79
25th Percentile $150,857 $12,571 $2,901 $73

Most common benefits for Principal Bioinformatics Scientist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Principal Bioinformatics Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Principal Bioinformatics Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Principal Bioinformatics Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Principal Bioinformatics Scientist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Principal Bioinformatics Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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