What Do Geneticist Do?
Job Description & Duties Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.
Life As a Geneticist
- Design and maintain genetics computer databases.
- Participate in the development of endangered species breeding programs or species survival plans.
- Maintain laboratory safety programs and train personnel in laboratory safety techniques.
- Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for genetic research goals.
- 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.
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Geneticist Skills
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.
Other Geneticist Job Titles
- Medical Geneticist
- Statistical Geneticist
- Pediatric Geneticist
- Clinical Geneticist
- Laboratory Geneticist
Are There Job Opportunities 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.
Do Geneticists Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Geneticists is somewhere between $45,030 and $126,390.

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?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Geneticists:
- 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
Becoming a Geneticist
What education is needed to be a Geneticist?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Geneticists Work

Below are examples of industries where Geneticists work:

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