Genetic counselors salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $100,040 | $48.09 |
| Mean (average) | $104,620 | $50.30 |
| 90th percentile | $138,760 | $66.71 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Genetic counselors pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 28 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $102,730 | $81,560 | $138,830 | 50 | 0.64 |
| California | $137,650 | $105,810 | $178,040 | 440 | 1.02 |
| Colorado | $106,100 | $77,700 | $125,920 | 40 | 0.54 |
| Connecticut | $101,640 | $72,290 | $129,990 | 50 | 1.18 |
| Delaware | $106,010 | $83,850 | $146,450 | 40 | 3.21 |
| District of Columbia | $100,380 | $77,450 | $114,960 | 40 | 2.5 |
| Florida | $102,330 | $74,860 | $124,950 | 100 | 0.43 |
| Georgia | $82,750 | $40,450 | $131,150 | ||
| Illinois | $95,880 | $83,840 | $116,140 | 90 | 0.59 |
| Indiana | $89,640 | $50,900 | $115,250 | 40 | 0.52 |
| Kentucky | $99,770 | $80,410 | $114,290 | 50 | 1.03 |
| Maryland | $94,050 | $81,800 | $130,870 | 50 | 0.78 |
| Massachusetts | $97,240 | $81,510 | $145,310 | 200 | 2.26 |
| Michigan | $84,970 | $73,750 | $107,960 | 80 | 0.8 |
| Minnesota | $102,010 | $82,580 | $111,520 | 160 | 2.24 |
| Missouri | $83,980 | $78,090 | $110,260 | 40 | 0.59 |
| New Jersey | $117,750 | $59,000 | $164,060 | 240 | 2.35 |
| New York | $107,450 | $88,530 | $141,430 | 240 | 1.04 |
| North Carolina | $93,570 | $79,540 | $111,840 | 80 | 0.71 |
| Ohio | $100,670 | $80,860 | $108,940 | 120 | 0.92 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,930 | $81,790 | $121,120 | 230 | 1.55 |
| South Carolina | $93,600 | $79,240 | $114,110 | 40 | 0.78 |
| Tennessee | $94,380 | $94,380 | $94,380 | 340 | 4.38 |
| Texas | $99,450 | $76,380 | $118,840 | ||
| Utah | $98,430 | $84,170 | $134,920 | 50 | 1.28 |
| Virginia | $99,960 | $73,610 | $134,220 | 100 | 1.06 |
| Washington | $102,920 | $65,470 | $133,410 | 100 | 1.16 |
| Wisconsin | $92,170 | $55,090 | $112,270 | 110 | 1.53 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for genetic counselors
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 7.6%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for genetic counselors
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Genetics, General CIP 26.0801
- Molecular Genetics CIP 26.0802
- Human/Medical Genetics CIP 26.0806
- Genome Sciences/Genomics CIP 26.0807
- Genetics, Other CIP 26.0899
- Genetic Counseling/Counselor CIP 51.1509
- Public Health Genetics CIP 51.2214
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
- Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- BRCAPRO
- Benetech PRA
- Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
- CancerGene
- CyrillicSoftware Cyrillic
- Database software
- FileMaker Pro
- Ftree
- Jurek Software Pedigree-Draw
- Medgen PED
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Instructing, Service Orientation.
Common job titles: Cardiovascular Genetics Counselor, Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC), Clinical Genetic Counselor, Genetic Services Coordinator, Hereditary Cancer Program Coordinator, Lab Genetic Counselor (Laboratory Genetic Counselor), Medical Science Liaison, Pediatric Genetics Clinical Coordinator, Prenatal Genetic Counselor, Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do genetic counselors make?
The national median annual wage for genetic counselors was $100,040 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $78,270 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $138,760. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do genetic counselors need?
BLS lists master's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is genetic counselors a growing career?
BLS projects employment of genetic counselors to change +10.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay genetic counselors the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($137,650), New Jersey ($117,750), New York ($107,450). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.