SSalario

Bioinformatics Scientist Salary in Boston, MA — 2026

Bioinformatics Scientist salary data for Boston, MA — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston, MA is $159,600 per year ($13,300/month, $77/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 152, which is 52% above the national average.

Entry Level
$109K
$53/hr
Median
$160K
$77/hr
Senior
$225K
$108/hr
Top Earner
$274K
$132/hr

Bioinformatics Scientist Take-Home Pay in Boston

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$159,600
Federal Tax-$27,038
State Tax (5.0%)-$7,980
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$12,209
Annual Take-Home$112,373
Monthly Take-Home$9,364

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$2,800/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio21.1%
Median Home Price$680,000
Cost of Living Index152
City Median Salary$85,000
Bioinformatics Scientist vs City Median+$74,600

Bioinformatics Scientist Requirements

Education
Master's/Doctorate
Experience
3-5 years
Job Growth
15.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

GenomicsPythonRMachine LearningBiostatistics

Boston Job Market Overview

Boston, Massachusetts has a population of 675,647 and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The top industries are Healthcare, Education, Technology. The local job growth rate is 2.0%, and the average commute time is 31 minutes.

Bioinformatics Scientist Salary in Nearby Massachusetts Cities

Salary Percentile Breakdown — Bioinformatics Scientist in Boston

Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Bioinformatics Scientist in Boston, MA, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$109,440$53/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$134,520$65/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$159,600$77/hrMid-career, 3-5 years
75th$224,960$108/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$273,600$132/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Bioinformatics Scientist compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Boston's Healthcare sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Bioinformatics Scientist salaries in Boston have grown approximately 15.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:

5 Years Ago
$138,783
Adjusted for Boston COL
Today (2026)
$159,600
+15.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$183,540
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Bioinformatics Scientist can expect a 10.8% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 7 years in Boston. Negotiation, certifications (Bioinformatics Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

Boston vs National Average

The national median Bioinformatics Scientist salary is $105,000. In Boston, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $159,600 is 52.0% above the national figure. This reflects Boston's cost of living index of 152 (higher than the national average of 100).

For Bioinformatics Scientists, this means: rent typically consumes 29.9% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Boston costs about 6.1× annual take-home. Homeownership in Boston on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.

Industry Context: Healthcare in Boston

Boston's economy is anchored by Healthcare, Education, Technology, with 675,647 residents and 3.5% unemployment as of 2026. Bioinformatics Scientists working in the Healthcare sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 2.0%, and Bioinformatics Scientist occupations specifically are projected to grow 15.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Bioinformatics Scientist salaries in Boston, MA:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Boston index of 152 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), MA state income tax of 5.0%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Bioinformatics Scientist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Healthcare vs others in Boston), specific skill set (Genomics, Python, R), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston, MA?
The median Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston, MA is $159,600 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 152. Entry-level Bioinformatics Scientists earn around $109,440, while senior-level professionals can earn $224,960 or more.
How much does a Bioinformatics Scientist take home in Boston after taxes?
A Bioinformatics Scientist earning the median salary of $159,600 in Boston, MA takes home approximately $112,373 per year ($9,364/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 29.6%.
Is Boston a good city for Bioinformatics Scientists?
Boston, MA has a cost of living index of 152 (above national average). Bioinformatics Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.5% and top industries include Healthcare, Education, Technology.
What skills are needed for a Bioinformatics Scientist in Boston?
Key skills for Bioinformatics Scientists include Genomics, Python, R, Machine Learning, Biostatistics. Typical education requirement is Master's/Doctorate. Valuable certifications include Bioinformatics Certification.
How does Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston compare to the national average?
The national median Bioinformatics Scientist salary is $105,000. In Boston, the adjusted salary is $159,600, which is 52.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay

Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.

Calculate Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston, MA?

The median Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston, MA is $159,600 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 152. Entry-level Bioinformatics Scientists earn around $109,440, while senior-level professionals can earn $224,960 or more.

How much does a Bioinformatics Scientist take home in Boston after taxes?

A Bioinformatics Scientist earning the median salary of $159,600 in Boston, MA takes home approximately $112,373 per year ($9,364/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 29.6%.

Is Boston a good city for Bioinformatics Scientists?

Boston, MA has a cost of living index of 152 (above national average). Bioinformatics Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.5% and top industries include Healthcare, Education, Technology.

What skills are needed for a Bioinformatics Scientist in Boston?

Key skills for Bioinformatics Scientists include Genomics, Python, R, Machine Learning, Biostatistics. Typical education requirement is Master's/Doctorate. Valuable certifications include Bioinformatics Certification.

How does Bioinformatics Scientist salary in Boston compare to the national average?

The national median Bioinformatics Scientist salary is $105,000. In Boston, the adjusted salary is $159,600, which is 52.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.