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 Tasks 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.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful genetic counselors rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Genetic Counselors Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Cancer Genetic Counselor
- Cancer Program Consultant
- Certified Genetic Counselor
- Chromosomal Disorders Counselor
- Clinical Reviewer
- Genetic Coordinator
- Genetic Counseling Medical Specialist
- Genetic Counselor
Employment and Demand
There are about 2,900,579 genetic counselors working in the United States today. Employment is projected 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 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| 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 vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| 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 |
Top Industries Employing Genetic Counselors
The bulk of 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 |
Below are examples of industries where genetic counselors work:
Software Genetic Counselors Use
- 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)
What the Workplace Is Like
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
How to Become Genetic Counselors
Entry-level genetic counselors positions require a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
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
Future 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
Statistics shown above are sourced from 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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