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.
Genetic Counselors
SOC: 29-9092 O*NET: 29-9092.00
Median Salary
$98,910
per year
Job Growth
🚀 9.3%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Genetic Counselors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$78,680
10th percentile
Early Career
$87,060
25th percentile
Median
$98,910
50th percentile
Experienced
$113,220
75th percentile
Top Earners
$137,780
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$78,680
25th
$87,060
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$98,910
Mean: $102,890
75th
$113,220
90th
$137,780
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $59,100 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $87,060 and $113,220
- •Salary spread is 26.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 3,510 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:4,000
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services38.5%
Hospitals37.9%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals35.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+9.3%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)4,000
Current
2034 (Projected)4,300
+9.3%
+400
Employment Change
+9.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Genetic Counselors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 27 locations
California
440 jobs$135,0901.08x
New York
320 jobs$100,1101.46x
Massachusetts
240 jobs$93,9102.87x
New Jersey
220 jobs$120,5502.29x
Pennsylvania
210 jobs$92,3201.54x
Minnesota
170 jobs$99,0902.62x
Virginia
130 jobs$106,0601.39x
Washington
130 jobs$99,8201.61x
Ohio
130 jobs$92,3101.06x
North Carolina
110 jobs$87,8501.00x
Wisconsin
100 jobs$87,2401.53x
Florida
90 jobs$99,1100.39x
Illinois
90 jobs$89,9800.66x
Texas
80 jobs$97,4800.27x
Connecticut
50 jobs$93,9201.42x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Biology
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
100%
#3
Written Comprehension
100%
#4
Active Listening
94%
#5
Psychology
92%
#6
Deductive Reasoning
92%
#7
Medicine and Dentistry
86%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
86%
#9
Oral Expression
82%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
80%
Skills Overview
Biology
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Written Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Psychology
advanced4.6
92%
Deductive Reasoning
advanced4.6
92%
Medicine and Dentistry
intermediate4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.3
86%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Biology
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Psychology
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Deductive Reasoning
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Medicine and Dentistry
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Therapy and Counseling
intermediateImportance78%
knowledge
3.9/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Biochemists and Biophysicists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Biology
- ✓Psychology
- ✓Medicine and Dentistry
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Customer and Personal Service
- →Mathematics
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Biology
- ✓Psychology
- ✓Medicine and Dentistry
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Biology
- ★Psychology
- ★Medicine and Dentistry
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Genetic Counselors
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (3)General Responsibilities (10)Planning & Development (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation91% perform94%
5
Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination79% perform86%
9
Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Genetic Counselors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Genetic Counselors professionals typically have a ISC Holland code and highly value relationships
IInvestigative
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Genetic Counselors
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.74
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.70
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.64
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.43
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.35
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.35
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Self-Control
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Genetic Counselors.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Genetic Counselors
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Indianapolis, IN
11.1k program completions/year
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Ankeny, IA
2.2k program completions/year
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Miami, FL
1.8k program completions/year
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Columbus, OH
1.7k program completions/year
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Las Vegas, NV
1.5k program completions/year
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Lehi, UT
1.4k program completions/year
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI
1.3k program completions/year
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI
1.3k program completions/year
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL
1.3k program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
1.2k program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
1.2k program completions/year
American Career College-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
1.2k program completions/year