Bioinformatics Scientists

Bioinformatics Scientists score 71 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #42 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 20 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 9 on its own and 11 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 9 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

71/ 100

High

Rank: #42of 923 jobs
US workers: 55,850for Biological Scientists, All Other
Median pay: $98,920a year
In real AI use: 9 of 20tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 9 (45%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 11 (55%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop data models and databases.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Improve user interfaces to bioinformatics software and databases.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Collaborate with software developers in the development and modification of commercial bioinformatics software.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with departments, such as marketing, business development, or operations, to coordinate product development or improvement.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Recommend new systems and processes to improve operations.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare summary statistics of information regarding human genomes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task

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Questions about bioinformatics scientists and AI

Will AI replace bioinformatics scientists?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Bioinformatics Scientists score 71 out of 100 (high exposure), #42 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 20 of the job's 20 tasks, 9 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which bioinformatics scientists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs"; "Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals"; "Develop data models and databases".

Which bioinformatics scientists tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 11 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 9 of the 20 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as bioinformatics scientists, and what do they earn?

About 55,850 people in the US (figure for Biological Scientists, All Other), with median pay of $98,920 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.