What You Need to Know About Geneticist
Job Description: Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.
List of Geneticist Job Duties
- Verify that cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and related equipment and instrumentation is maintained in working condition to ensure accuracy and quality of experimental results.
- Plan or conduct basic genomic and biological research related to areas such as regulation of gene expression, protein interactions, metabolic networks, and nucleic acid or protein complexes.
- Confer with information technology specialists to develop computer applications for genetic data analysis.
- Develop protocols to improve existing genetic techniques or to incorporate new diagnostic procedures.
- Evaluate genetic data by performing appropriate mathematical or statistical calculations and analyses.
- Prepare results of experimental findings for presentation at professional conferences or in scientific journals.
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What a Geneticist Should Know
These are the skills Geneticists say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Geneticist Jobs
- Biochemical Genetics Laboratory Director
- Swine Genetics Researcher
- Pharmacogeneticist
- Research Geneticist
- Clinical Cytogenetics Director
Job Outlook for Geneticists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 38,700 jobs in the United States for Geneticist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,100 new jobs for Geneticist by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Geneticist are Nevada, Utah, and Ohio. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, South Dakota, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Geneticists Salary
The salary for Geneticists ranges between about $45,030 and $126,390 a year.

Geneticists who work in Maryland, Rhode Island, or Delaware, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Geneticists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $67,200 |
Alaska | $77,430 |
Arizona | $83,680 |
Arkansas | $74,380 |
California | $91,340 |
Colorado | $71,380 |
Connecticut | $93,180 |
Delaware | $91,760 |
District of Columbia | $104,460 |
Florida | $71,200 |
Georgia | $72,460 |
Hawaii | $79,760 |
Idaho | $70,770 |
Illinois | $84,180 |
Indiana | $69,180 |
Iowa | $62,320 |
Kansas | $64,560 |
Kentucky | $64,780 |
Louisiana | $66,100 |
Maine | $76,840 |
Maryland | $103,790 |
Massachusetts | $84,790 |
Michigan | $75,110 |
Minnesota | $73,770 |
Mississippi | $80,690 |
Missouri | $67,290 |
Montana | $66,110 |
Nebraska | $74,790 |
Nevada | $73,490 |
New Hampshire | $78,780 |
New Jersey | $76,330 |
New Mexico | $73,610 |
New York | $89,000 |
North Carolina | $83,380 |
North Dakota | $70,590 |
Ohio | $67,780 |
Oklahoma | $64,200 |
Oregon | $69,930 |
Pennsylvania | $73,550 |
Rhode Island | $89,210 |
South Carolina | $78,370 |
South Dakota | $65,660 |
Tennessee | $67,690 |
Texas | $80,900 |
Utah | $74,290 |
Vermont | $78,070 |
Virginia | $93,750 |
Washington | $85,200 |
West Virginia | $70,060 |
Wisconsin | $73,520 |
Wyoming | $71,030 |
What Tools do Geneticists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Geneticists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Python
- Email software
- Structured query language SQL
- Database software
- SAS
- Linux
- UNIX
- R
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Insightful S-PLUS
- Microsoft Visual C# .NET
- SAS JMP
- Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
- ClustalW
How to Become a Geneticist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Geneticist?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Geneticists Work?

Geneticists work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Domaina via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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