Pharmacogenomics Scientist
Connect human genetic variation to drug response — a fast-growing precision medicine specialty.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) scientists translate human genetic variation into actionable prescribing guidance. The role spans clinical labs, pharma safety teams, and clinical decision-support startups, and is growing as regulators push PGx labeling into more drug approvals.
Pharmacogenomics Scientist salary (USD)
US base ranges blended from Levels.fyi, BLS, Glassdoor, and Payscale (2024–2025). See full salary benchmark →
What a Pharmacogenomics Scientist does day-to-day
- Curate and validate PGx variant panels and star-allele callers.
- Implement CPIC, DPWG, and PharmGKB guidelines into reporting.
- Support clinical decision-support integrations with EHRs.
- Communicate PGx results to clinicians and patients.
Required skills & tools
12-month roadmap to Pharmacogenomics Scientist
- 1Foundations (0–3 mo)Clinical pharmacology basics, CPIC and PharmGKB guideline structure.
- 2Star alleles (3–6 mo)Caller comparison (Stargazer, Aldy, PharmCAT) on public WGS.
- 3Reporting (6–9 mo)End-to-end PGx report generation for a small panel.
- 4Clinical integration (9–12 mo)FHIR/HL7 basics, CDS hooks, EHR delivery patterns.
Job titles to target
- • PGx Analyst
- • Senior Pharmacogenomics Scientist
- • Director, Clinical PGx
Where they hire
- • Clinical labs
- • Pharma safety
- • Precision medicine startups
- • EHR / CDS vendors
FAQ
What is the difference between PGx and clinical bioinformatics?
PGx is a specialty inside clinical bioinformatics focused specifically on drug–gene interactions and prescribing guidance, governed by CPIC/DPWG guidelines rather than general ACMG variant classification.
Is pharmacogenomics a good career to enter in 2026?
Yes. Regulatory momentum (FDA PGx labels, EU EMA guidance) and EHR-integrated decision support are driving steady hiring at clinical labs and CDS vendors.
Which tools should I learn first?
Start with PharmGKB and CPIC documentation, then learn one star-allele caller end-to-end — PharmCAT is the most production-friendly open-source option.
Related career paths
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