Genetic Counselors: Career Profile
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.
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What Do Genetic Counselors Take On?
Typical responsibilities of genetic counselors span:
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
- Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
- Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
What Genetic Counselors Need to Know
Effective genetic counselors rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Cancer Genetic Counselor
- Cancer Program Consultant
- Certified Genetic Counselor
- Chromosomal Disorders Counselor
- Clinical Reviewer
- Genetic Coordinator
- Genetic Counseling Medical Specialist
- Genetic Counselor
How Many Genetic Counselors Are There?
There are about 2,900,579 genetic counselors working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +13.4% over the projection horizon.
Genetic Counselors Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $58,726 |
| Hourly median | $28.23 |
| 10th percentile | $41,578 |
| 25th percentile | $50,152 |
| 75th percentile | $67,299 |
| 90th percentile | $75,873 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Genetic Counselors Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $135,090 |
| New Jersey | $120,550 |
| Virginia | $106,060 |
| Vermont | $106,000 |
| South Carolina | $105,500 |
| Colorado | $104,840 |
| Maryland | $102,960 |
| New York | $100,110 |
| Washington | $99,820 |
| Arizona | $99,270 |
| Florida | $99,110 |
| Minnesota | $99,090 |
| Texas | $97,480 |
| Connecticut | $93,920 |
| Massachusetts | $93,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,320 |
| Ohio | $92,310 |
| Utah | $91,620 |
| Tennessee | $90,780 |
| Michigan | $90,660 |
| Illinois | $89,980 |
| Missouri | $88,130 |
| North Carolina | $87,850 |
| District of Columbia | $87,520 |
| Wisconsin | $87,240 |
| Indiana | $81,760 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for genetic counselors differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $127,045 | 19.4% | 1.20 |
| Southeast | $98,895 | 12.6% | 0.97 |
| Middle Atlantic | $98,347 | 29.6% | 1.81 |
| Southwest | $98,076 | 4.1% | 0.36 |
| Plains States | $97,446 | 6.8% | 2.29 |
| Rocky Mountains | $96,577 | 2.7% | 0.93 |
| New England | $95,045 | 10.9% | 2.79 |
| Great Lakes | $89,331 | 13.9% | 0.96 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Genetic Counselors
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $159,960 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $149,850 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $130,310 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | OH | $104,790 | 50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $104,100 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $103,060 | 410 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $100,690 | 100 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $99,330 | 120 |
Which Industries Hire Genetic Counselors
Most genetic counselors work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,900 | $99,210 |
| Educational Services | 240 | $95,660 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 120 | $93,770 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 70 | $125,960 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of genetic counselors tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Written Letters and Memos
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Entry-level genetic counselors positions require a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (Supplemental)
- Clinical Neuropsychologists (Primary-Long)
- Physician Assistants (Supplemental)
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (Primary-Short)
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (Primary-Short)
- Nurse Midwives (Supplemental)
- Nurse Practitioners (Supplemental)
- Cardiologists (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Aspiring genetic counselors often complete programs in:
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
5 programs across 1 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
2 programs across 2 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-9092.00 (Genetic Counselors).
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