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Life As a Geneticist

Geneticist Example 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

  • Create or use statistical models for the analysis of genetic data.
  • Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds.
  • Confer with information technology specialists to develop computer applications for genetic data analysis.
  • Supervise or direct the work of other geneticists, biologists, technicians, or biometricians working on genetics research projects.
  • Plan curatorial programs for species collections that include acquisition, distribution, maintenance, or regeneration.
  • Verify that cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and related equipment and instrumentation is maintained in working condition to ensure accuracy and quality of experimental results.

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.

  • Biochemical Genetics Laboratory Director
  • Population Geneticist
  • Clinical Genetics Laboratory Chief
  • Laboratory Geneticist
  • Behavioral Geneticist

Job Opportunities for Geneticists

In the United States, there were 38,700 jobs for Geneticist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

Salary for a Geneticist

The average yearly salary of a Geneticist ranges between $45,030 and $126,390.

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Geneticists who work in Maryland, Rhode Island, or Delaware, make the highest salaries.

How much do Geneticists make in each U.S. state?

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

How to Become a Geneticist

Education needed to be a Geneticist:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Geneticist?

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Where do Geneticists Work?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: Domaina via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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