How much does a Genetic Counselors make?

The median annual wage for Genetic Counselors is $100,040 ($48 per hour). Pay ranges from about $78,270 at the 10th percentile to $138,760 at the 90th percentile.

What is the average salary for a Genetic Counselors?

The average (mean) annual salary is $104,620, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Which state pays Genetic Counselorss the most?

California has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $137,650.

Is Genetic Counselors a growing occupation?

BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.7K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.

What does a Genetic Counselors do?

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..

Genetic Counselors Salary

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · 3.7K employed in the U.S.

Median annual

$100,040

Median hourly

$48

Average annual

$104,620

Typical range

$78,270–$138,760

Pay distribution

10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.

10th$78,270

25th$88,900

Median$100,040

75th$116,140

90th$138,760

What this role pays

The median annual salary for Genetic Counselors is $100,040 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $48 an hour at a full-time schedule.

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.

Most earn between $78,270 and $138,760 a year. There are roughly 3.7K people employed as genetic counselors in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.

Salary calculator

Convert your pay and see where it lands for Genetic Counselors.

Pay amountPay period

Hours / weekWeeks / year

Hourly: $48.10
Daily: $385
Weekly: $1,924
Bi-weekly: $3,848
Monthly: $8,337
Annual: $100,040

$100,040 a year is around the 50th percentile for Genetic Counselorss. The median is $100,040.

Genetic Counselors — U.S., May 2025
Percentile	Hourly	Annual
10th percentile	$37.60	$78,270
25th percentile	$42.70	$88,900
Median	$48.10	$100,040
75th percentile	$55.80	$116,140
90th percentile	$66.70	$138,760
Average (mean)	$50.30	$104,620
Employment	3,740 people

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Social Perceptiveness
Science
Judgment and Decision Making

Highest-paying states

Median annual wage by state.

1California$137,650
2New Jersey$117,750
3New York$107,450
4Colorado$106,100
5Delaware$106,010
6Washington$102,920
7Arizona$102,730
8Florida$102,330
9Minnesota$102,010
10Connecticut$101,640
11Ohio$100,670
12District of Columbia$100,380

Top-paying metro areas

Median annual wage by metro area.

1San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$177,990
2San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,920
3Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$120,560
4New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$109,130
5Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$106,010
6Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,920
7Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$102,710
8Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$102,010
9Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$101,390
10Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$100,380
11Pittsburgh, PA$99,030
12Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$98,660

Related job titles

Employers advertise Genetic Counselors roles under these titles.

Related occupations

What a Genetic Counselors does

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.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Genetic Counselors make?: The median annual wage for Genetic Counselors is $100,040 ($48 per hour). Pay ranges from about $78,270 at the 10th percentile to $138,760 at the 90th percentile.
What is the average salary for a Genetic Counselors?: The average (mean) annual salary is $104,620, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Which state pays Genetic Counselorss the most?: California has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $137,650.
Is Genetic Counselors a growing occupation?: BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.7K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
What does a Genetic Counselors do?: 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..