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Genetic counselor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$100,040median pay per year, or $48.09 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $78,270lowest 10% earn less
  2. $88,90025th percentile
  3. $100,040median
  4. $116,14075th percentile
  5. $138,760top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A genetic counselor earned a median of $100,040 a year in May 2025, about twice the median for all occupations[1][2]. BLS projects 10.4% job growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+10.4%[3]
Openings per year
300[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[7]

How much do genetic counselors make?

The median wage for genetic counselors was $100,040 a year, or $48.09 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $104,620 a year, or $50.30 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[2].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $78,270 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $138,760[5]. The 25th percentile was $88,900 and the 75th was $116,140[5]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $37.63 and the 90th was $66.71[9]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median among states with published data, at $137,650 a year[12]. New Jersey followed at $117,750, then New York at $107,450[12]. Georgia was the lowest listed, at $82,750[12].

California also had the most jobs, with 440[13]. Tennessee had 340, and New Jersey and New York had 240 each[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median, at $177,990[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA came next at $120,560[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs, at 390[15].

Show median pay in 27 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$137,650440
New Jersey$117,750240
New York$107,450240
Colorado$106,10040
Delaware$106,01040
Washington$102,920100
Arizona$102,73050
Florida$102,330100
Minnesota$102,010160
Connecticut$101,64050
Ohio$100,670120
District of Columbia$100,38040
Virginia$99,960100
Kentucky$99,77050
Texas$99,450n/a
Utah$98,43050
Massachusetts$97,240200
Illinois$95,88090
Pennsylvania$94,930230
Tennessee$94,380340
Maryland$94,05050
South Carolina$93,60040
North Carolina$93,57080
Wisconsin$92,170110
Indiana$89,64040
Michigan$84,97080
Missouri$83,98040
Georgia$82,750n/a

How to become a genetic counselor

BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education, with no work experience or on-the-job training needed[7]. In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 90% said a master's degree was required[16].

Even where certification is not required, employers may ask for it[21].

What genetic counselors do

Genetic counselors assess a person's or family's risk of inherited conditions and help them decide what to do with that information[22]. Common tasks include:

The OOH names communication, compassion, critical thinking, interpersonal and organizational skills as important[24][25][26][27][28].

Where they work

Their work involves individuals, families and other healthcare providers[29]. Hospitals were the largest employer group in 2025, at 37%[30]. Most genetic counselors work full time[31]. In 2025, 7.6% were self-employed[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 10.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 4,200 to 4,600 jobs[3]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[4]. That count includes self-employed workers[3].

About 300 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.5% of workers leave the labor force and 2.7% move to a different occupation[33].

BLS says advances in genetic research and the growing role of genetics in health raise demand. It adds that chatbots handling routine tasks will offset part of that demand[34].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is high next to all occupations, and projected growth is faster than average[1][2][3][4]. The job needs a master's degree that typically takes 2 years after a bachelor's degree[18]. It is also a small occupation, with about 3,740 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[35]. Counseling is the core of the work, so the listed skills of communication and compassion matter[23][24][25]. The facts here do not cover program costs or admission odds.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a genetic counselor make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $48.09 in May 2025[1]. The average was $50.30[8].
What degree do you need to be a genetic counselor?
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education[7]. Programs typically take 2 years of study after a bachelor's degree[18].
Is genetic counseling in demand?
BLS projects 10.4% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][4]. About 300 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for genetic counselors?
California had the highest median among states with published data, at $137,650 a year[12].
Do genetic counselors need a license?
Nearly all states require one, and licensure usually requires board certification[19].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Genetic Counselors in the US was $100,040 per year and $48.09 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Genetic Counselors is projected to grow 10.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 4,200 to 4,600 jobs (a change of +400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Genetic Counselors: 10th percentile $78,270, 25th percentile $88,900, 75th percentile $116,140, 90th percentile $138,760. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 300 openings for Genetic Counselors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Genetic Counselors: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Genetic Counselors was $104,620 per year and $50.30 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Genetic Counselors: 10th percentile $37.63, 25th percentile $42.74, 75th percentile $55.84, 90th percentile $66.71. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Genetic Counselors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Genetic Counselors jobs: California 440; Tennessee 340; New Jersey 240; New York 240; Pennsylvania 230. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Genetic Counselors (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $177,990; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $120,560; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $109,130; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $106,010; Pittsburgh, PA $99,030; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $97,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Genetic Counselors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 390 (median $109,130); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 180 (median $97,240); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 130 (median $120,560); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 130 (median $106,010); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 120 (median $177,990); Pittsburgh, PA 100 (median $99,030). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 29-9092.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 90% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET description of Genetic Counselors. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Genetic Counselors. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of genetic counselors in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 37%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 7.6% of Genetic Counselors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Genetic Counselors: 2.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Genetic Counselors: Demand change, productivity change - share increases as advances in genetic research and technology and the growing recognition of the role genetics plays in health increase the demand for genetic counseling services. This demand will be partially offset by the growing use of chatbots to handle routine tasks. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,740 people were employed as Genetic Counselors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.