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Career overview · SOC 29-9092

Genetic Counselors

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.

Also called: Certified Genetic Counselor · Genetic Counselor · Medical Science Liaison · Prenatal and Pediatric Genetic Counselor · Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator

Median pay (national)
$98,910
$78,680–$137,780 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
3,510
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+9.3%
~300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for genetic counselors shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $137,780 versus $78,680 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $98,910 leaves roughly 39% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +9.3% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 26 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $135,090, +37% vs the national median), while Indiana sits lowest at $81,760 — a 65% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Science
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Mathematics

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.

Tools & technology

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

Knowledge areas

  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Mathematics
  • Sociology and Anthropology