CDCareer Decision

Genetic Counselors Career, Salary and Skills

Genetic Counselors have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $100,040 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 3,740. Wage data is published for 46 locations.

Open the decision dashboard

Occupation description

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.

O*NET code

29-9092.00

Job zone

5

Typical education

Master's Degree

Experience

None

National salary and employment

Median annual

$100,040

Hourly median

$48.09

Employment

3,740

Data year

2025

National salary distribution

$78,270
10th
$88,900
25th
$100,040
Median
$116,140
75th
$138,760
90th

Top skills

SkillImportanceLevel
Reading Comprehension4.125.00
Active Listening4.124.00
Speaking4.004.12
Social Perceptiveness4.004.12
Writing4.004.38
Critical Thinking4.004.00
Complex Problem Solving4.004.00
Active Learning4.004.12
Judgment and Decision Making3.383.88
Coordination3.123.12
All skill ratings →

Typical tasks

  • Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
  • Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
  • Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
  • Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
  • Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
  • Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
  • Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
  • Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
All task statements →

Technology

  • Benetech PRA
  • BRCAPRO
  • Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
  • CancerGene
  • CyrillicSoftware Cyrillic
  • Database software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Ftree
  • Jurek Software Pedigree-Draw
  • Medgen PED
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
All technology →

Genetic Counselors salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

All 46 locations →

Related careers

Analyze this careerCompare with another careerExplore your skill gapCompare locations

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.