Genetic Counselors
Genetic Counselors (SOC 29-9092) earn a median $100,040 a year ($48.09 an hour) in the United States, with 3,740 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is California.
What genetic counselors do
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive family and medical histories, document the findings, and analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes. They discuss testing options and their risks, benefits and limitations so that families can make informed decisions, and they interpret laboratory results and communicate the findings to patients or physicians. They provide counseling through information, education or reassurance, and advise individuals and families on informed decision making and coping. They write detailed consultation reports that explain complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians, and they coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services and reviewing the genetics or counseling literature. O*NET describes counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology, and its alternate titles include cancer genetic counselor and chromosomal disorders counselor. All respondents report a master's degree. The SOC adds that they may help conduct research related to genetic conditions.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a master's degree as the typical level of education for this occupation (100 percent).
Also called: Cancer Genetic Counselor, Cancer Program Consultant, Certified Genetic Counselor, Chromosomal Disorders Counselor, Genetic Coordinator.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $37.63 | $42.74 | $48.09 | $55.84 | $66.71 | $50.30 | 3,740 |
| Annual | $78,270 | $88,900 | $100,040 | $116,140 | $138,760 | $104,620 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where genetic counselors earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $50.87 | $56.59 | $66.18 | $81.95 | $85.60 | $68.79 | 440 | 0.02 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $105,810 | $117,700 | $137,650 | $170,450 | $178,040 | $143,090 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $28.36 | $41.47 | $56.61 | $65.05 | $78.88 | $53.68 | 240 | 0.06 | 2.35 |
| Annual | $59,000 | $86,250 | $117,750 | $135,310 | $164,060 | $111,660 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $42.56 | $48.37 | $51.66 | $57.90 | $68.00 | $53.96 | 240 | 0.03 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $88,530 | $100,600 | $107,450 | $120,440 | $141,430 | $112,230 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $37.35 | $45.67 | $51.01 | $58.79 | $60.54 | $50.82 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.54 |
| Annual | $77,700 | $94,990 | $106,100 | $122,290 | $125,920 | $105,700 | ||||
| Delaware | Hourly | $40.31 | $43.02 | $50.97 | $57.57 | $70.41 | $51.91 | 40 | 0.08 | 3.21 |
| Annual | $83,850 | $89,480 | $106,010 | $119,750 | $146,450 | $107,970 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $50.87 | $56.59 | $66.18 | $81.95 | $85.60 | $68.79 | 440 | 0.02 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $105,810 | $117,700 | $137,650 | $170,450 | $178,040 | $143,090 | ||||
| Tennessee | Hourly | $45.37 | $45.37 | $45.37 | $45.37 | $45.37 | $45.09 | 340 | 0.11 | 4.38 |
| Annual | $94,380 | $94,380 | $94,380 | $94,380 | $94,380 | $93,790 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $28.36 | $41.47 | $56.61 | $65.05 | $78.88 | $53.68 | 240 | 0.06 | 2.35 |
| Annual | $59,000 | $86,250 | $117,750 | $135,310 | $164,060 | $111,660 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $42.56 | $48.37 | $51.66 | $57.90 | $68.00 | $53.96 | 240 | 0.03 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $88,530 | $100,600 | $107,450 | $120,440 | $141,430 | $112,230 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $39.32 | $40.38 | $45.64 | $50.75 | $58.23 | $47.46 | 230 | 0.04 | 1.55 |
| Annual | $81,790 | $83,980 | $94,930 | $105,570 | $121,120 | $98,720 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $58.75 | $64.42 | $85.57 | $89.85 | $89.85 | $76.77 | 120 | 0.05 | 2.07 |
| Annual | $122,200 | $133,980 | $177,990 | $186,890 | $186,890 | $159,680 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $62.60 | $65.59 | $79.77 | $84.36 | $85.03 | $74.97 | 80 | 0.07 | 2.91 |
| Annual | $130,200 | $136,440 | $165,920 | $175,470 | $176,860 | $155,940 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $50.54 | $52.21 | $57.96 | $69.52 | $78.70 | $60.83 | 130 | 0.02 | 0.86 |
| Annual | $105,120 | $108,590 | $120,560 | $144,600 | $163,700 | $126,530 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $37.14 | $48.49 | $52.46 | $64.16 | $78.87 | $55.44 | 390 | 0.04 | 1.72 |
| Annual | $77,240 | $100,870 | $109,130 | $133,450 | $164,060 | $115,310 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $40.03 | $42.89 | $50.97 | $58.20 | $79.94 | $51.13 | 130 | 0.04 | 1.81 |
| Annual | $83,270 | $89,210 | $106,010 | $121,060 | $166,280 | $106,340 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $37.14 | $48.49 | $52.46 | $64.16 | $78.87 | $55.44 | 390 | 0.04 | 1.72 |
| Annual | $77,240 | $100,870 | $109,130 | $133,450 | $164,060 | $115,310 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $39.25 | $39.70 | $46.75 | $51.50 | $69.86 | $49.76 | 180 | 0.07 | 2.76 |
| Annual | $81,630 | $82,580 | $97,240 | $107,130 | $145,310 | $103,500 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $50.54 | $52.21 | $57.96 | $69.52 | $78.70 | $60.83 | 130 | 0.02 | 0.86 |
| Annual | $105,120 | $108,590 | $120,560 | $144,600 | $163,700 | $126,530 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $40.03 | $42.89 | $50.97 | $58.20 | $79.94 | $51.13 | 130 | 0.04 | 1.81 |
| Annual | $83,270 | $89,210 | $106,010 | $121,060 | $166,280 | $106,340 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $58.75 | $64.42 | $85.57 | $89.85 | $89.85 | $76.77 | 120 | 0.05 | 2.07 |
| Annual | $122,200 | $133,980 | $177,990 | $186,890 | $186,890 | $159,680 | ||||
Top industries employing genetic counselors
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals employ 38.2% of genetic counselors nationally (1,430 jobs) at a median $102,010 a year ($49.04 an hour), followed by Offices of Physicians (31.0%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (7.0%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 1,430 | 38.2% | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 1,160 | 31.0% | $94,380 | $45.37 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 260 | 7.0% | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 230 | 6.1% | $143,620 | $69.05 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories NAICS 621500 | 180 | 4.8% | $108,640 | $52.23 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (3,740). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $80,150 for genetic counselors in May 2021 and $100,040 in May 2025, with employment of 2,740 and 3,740.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $80,150 | $38.54 | 2,740 |
| May 2022 | $89,990 | $43.26 | 3,220 |
| May 2023 | $95,770 | $46.05 | 3,050 |
| May 2024 | $98,910 | $47.55 | 3,510 |
| May 2025 | $100,040 | $48.09 | 3,740 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
28 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California profile | $66.18 | $137,650 | $105,810 | $178,040 | 440 | 0.02 | 1.02 |
| 2 | New Jersey profile | $56.61 | $117,750 | $59,000 | $164,060 | 240 | 0.06 | 2.35 |
| 3 | New York profile | $51.66 | $107,450 | $88,530 | $141,430 | 240 | 0.03 | 1.04 |
| 4 | Colorado profile | $51.01 | $106,100 | $77,700 | $125,920 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.54 |
| 5 | Delaware profile | $50.97 | $106,010 | $83,850 | $146,450 | 40 | 0.08 | 3.21 |
| 6 | Washington profile | $49.48 | $102,920 | $65,470 | $133,410 | 100 | 0.03 | 1.16 |
| 7 | Arizona profile | $49.39 | $102,730 | $81,560 | $138,830 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.64 |
| 8 | Florida profile | $49.20 | $102,330 | $74,860 | $124,950 | 100 | 0.01 | 0.43 |
| 9 | Minnesota profile | $49.04 | $102,010 | $82,580 | $111,520 | 160 | 0.05 | 2.24 |
| 10 | Connecticut profile | $48.87 | $101,640 | $72,290 | $129,990 | 50 | 0.03 | 1.18 |
| 11 | Ohio profile | $48.40 | $100,670 | $80,860 | $108,940 | 120 | 0.02 | 0.92 |
| 12 | District of Columbia profile | $48.26 | $100,380 | $77,450 | $114,960 | 40 | 0.06 | 2.50 |
| 13 | Virginia profile | $48.06 | $99,960 | $73,610 | $134,220 | 100 | 0.03 | 1.06 |
| 14 | Kentucky profile | $47.97 | $99,770 | $80,410 | $114,290 | 50 | 0.03 | 1.03 |
| 15 | Texas profile | $47.81 | $99,450 | $76,380 | $118,840 | ** | ** | ** |
| 16 | Utah profile | $47.32 | $98,430 | $84,170 | $134,920 | 50 | 0.03 | 1.28 |
| 17 | Massachusetts profile | $46.75 | $97,240 | $81,510 | $145,310 | 200 | 0.05 | 2.26 |
| 18 | Illinois profile | $46.10 | $95,880 | $83,840 | $116,140 | 90 | 0.01 | 0.59 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania profile | $45.64 | $94,930 | $81,790 | $121,120 | 230 | 0.04 | 1.55 |
| 20 | Tennessee profile | $45.37 | $94,380 | $94,380 | $94,380 | 340 | 0.11 | 4.38 |
| 21 | Maryland profile | $45.22 | $94,050 | $81,800 | $130,870 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.78 |
| 22 | South Carolina profile | $45.00 | $93,600 | $79,240 | $114,110 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.78 |
| 23 | North Carolina profile | $44.98 | $93,570 | $79,540 | $111,840 | 80 | 0.02 | 0.71 |
| 24 | Wisconsin profile | $44.31 | $92,170 | $55,090 | $112,270 | 110 | 0.04 | 1.53 |
| 25 | Indiana profile | $43.10 | $89,640 | $50,900 | $115,250 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.52 |
| 26 | Michigan profile | $40.85 | $84,970 | $73,750 | $107,960 | 80 | 0.02 | 0.80 |
| 27 | Missouri profile | $40.38 | $83,980 | $78,090 | $110,260 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.59 |
| 28 | Georgia profile | $39.78 | $82,750 | $40,450 | $131,150 | ** | ** | ** |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-9090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-9092 Genetic Counselors.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-9092, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-9092.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.