Genetic Counselors earn a median of $100,040 per year ($48.09/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 10.4% through 2035, with about 300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 29-9092
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Genetic Counselor in four numbers
- Median pay
- $100,040a year, or $48.09/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $78KTop 10% $139K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +10.4%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+10.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +10.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3004,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.2K
- Projected 20354.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.2K Projected 2035 4.6K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's90.5%
- Post-master’s certificate4.8%
- Professional degree4.8%
Highest education held by genetic counselors Segment Value Master's 90.5% Post-master’s certificate 4.8% Professional degree 4.8%
Also advertised as: Cardiovascular Genetics Counselor, Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC), Clinical Genetic Counselor, Genetic Services Coordinator, Hereditary Cancer Program Coordinator, Lab Genetic Counselor (Laboratory Genetic Counselor).
Pay
How much do Genetic Counselors make?
Every genetic counselor in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$100,040
Middle half earn $88,900 to $116,140
- 10th
- $78,270
- 25th
- $88,900
- 75th
- $116,140
- 90th
- $138,760
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $78,270 |
| 25th | $88,900 |
| Median | $100,040 |
| 75th | $116,140 |
| 90th | $138,760 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $100,040
- Median hourly wage
- $48.09/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $104,620
- People employed
- 3,740
Versus all US occupations
At $100,040, Genetic Counselors earn 96% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $49,060 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $138,760 or more while the bottom 10% earn $78,270, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 72% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $137,650, and still leads at $124,323 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Genetic Counselors the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $137,650 | $124,323 | 440 |
| 2New Jersey | $117,750 | $108,221 | 240 |
| 3New York | $107,450 | $99,564 | 240 |
| 4Colorado | $106,100 | $102,958 | 40 |
| 5Delaware | $106,010 | $106,214 | 40 |
| 6Washington | $102,920 | $96,175 | 100 |
| 7Arizona | $102,730 | $102,039 | 50 |
| 8Florida | $102,330 | $98,952 | 100 |
| 9Minnesota | $102,010 | $103,436 | 160 |
| 10Connecticut | $101,640 | $98,099 | 50 |
Job outlook
Is Genetic Counselor a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +10.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Genetic Counselors | +10.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Genetic Counselors to change 10.4% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.0× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 7.1% of the 4,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As advances in genetic research and technology allow more genetic tests to be developed, more genetic counselors will be needed to help individuals understand results, assess their genetic risks, and make informed decisions. In addition, growing recognition of the role genetics plays in health and the value genetic data has for patient care management should further strengthen the demand for genetic counseling services.
Getting in
How to become a Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling. Nearly all states require genetic counselors to be licensed, and licensure usually requires board certification.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as genetic counselors.
- Master's Degree90.5%
- Post-Master's Certificate4.8%
- First Professional Degree4.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 90.5% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 4.8% |
| First Professional Degree | 4.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Genetic Counselor do?
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
Genetic counselors assess clients’ risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects. They review genetic test results with individuals and families and support them in making decisions based on those results. They also offer information to other healthcare providers.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
- Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
- Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.
- Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most genetic counselors work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where genetic counselors work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private37%
- Offices of physicians28%
- Outpatient care centers5%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private5%
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 37% |
| Offices of physicians | 28% |
| Outpatient care centers | 5% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private | 5% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.1
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Science3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
| Science | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Coordination3.1
- Instructing3.1
- Service Orientation3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Internet browser software
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Genetic Counselor?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Genetic Counselor |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 5 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Investigative5.9
- Social5.5
- Conventional3.9
- Enterprising2.7
- Artistic2.3
- Realistic1.7
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Genetic Counselor
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with genetic counselors highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Genetic Counselor$100,040
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Genetic Counselor | $100,040 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Genetic Counselor appears on
Questions
Genetic Counselor: frequently asked questions
How much do Genetic Counselors make?
Genetic Counselors earn a median of $100,040 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 96% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $48.09/hr. The middle half earn between $88,900 and $116,140. The top 10% earn $138,760 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Genetic Counselor?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Genetic Counselors, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 90.5% hold master's degree.
Is Genetic Counselor a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 10.4% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Genetic Counselor do?
Genetic counselors assess clients’ risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects. A core O*NET task: interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Genetic Counselors the most?
The highest state medians for Genetic Counselors are California ($137,650), New Jersey ($117,750), New York ($107,450) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Genetic Counselor?
O*NET scores Genetic Counselors highest on the Investigative, Social and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFJ, ENFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.