Genetic counselor salary
BLS occupation: Genetic Counselors · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
How much does a genetic counselor make?
- The median genetic counselor salary in the US is $100,040 a year ($48.09 an hour): half of the 3,740 genetic counselors BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $104,620.
- The middle half earn between $88,900 and $116,140. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $78,270 and the top 10% more than $138,760.
- That is 96% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays genetic counselors the most (median $137,650), followed by New Jersey ($117,750) and New York ($107,450). Georgia pays the least ($82,750).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in California, where the median is worth $124,323 in typical US prices, then Kentucky and Ohio.
- In 17 of the 19 metro areas with data, the median genetic counselor salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of genetic counselors to grow 10.4% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 300 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what genetic counselors are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Genetic counselor salary range
Half of genetic counselors earn between $88,900 and $116,140 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $78,270 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $88,900 |
| Median | $100,040 |
| Top 25% earn over | $116,140 |
| Top 10% earn over | $138,760 |
Genetic counselor salary by state
California pays genetic counselors the most; Georgia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($100,040), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $137,650 median |
| New Jersey | $117,750 median |
| New York | $107,450 median |
| Colorado | $106,100 median |
| Delaware | $106,010 median |
| Washington | $102,920 median |
| Arizona | $102,730 median |
| Florida | $102,330 median |
| Minnesota | $102,010 median |
| Connecticut | $101,640 median |
| Ohio | $100,670 median |
| District of Columbia | $100,380 median |
| Virginia | $99,960 median |
| Kentucky | $99,770 median |
| Texas | $99,450 median |
| Utah | $98,430 median |
| Massachusetts | $97,240 median |
| Illinois | $95,880 median |
| Pennsylvania | $94,930 median |
| Tennessee | $94,380 median |
| Maryland | $94,050 median |
| South Carolina | $93,600 median |
| North Carolina | $93,570 median |
| Wisconsin | $92,170 median |
| Indiana | $89,640 median |
| Michigan | $84,970 median |
| Missouri | $83,980 median |
| Georgia | $82,750 median |
Where genetic counselor pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Genetic counselors' pay goes furthest in California once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| California | $124,323 |
| Kentucky | $110,660 |
| Ohio | $108,511 |
| New Jersey | $108,221 |
| Delaware | $106,214 |
| Minnesota | $103,436 |
| Colorado | $102,958 |
| Tennessee | $102,732 |
| Texas | $102,466 |
| Arizona | $102,039 |
Genetic counselor pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $137,650 | $66.18 | $105,810 | $178,040 | 440 | $124,323 |
| New Jersey | $117,750 | $56.61 | $59,000 | $164,060 | 240 | $108,221 |
| New York | $107,450 | $51.66 | $88,530 | $141,430 | 240 | $99,564 |
| Colorado | $106,100 | $51.01 | $77,700 | $125,920 | 40 | $102,958 |
| Delaware | $106,010 | $50.97 | $83,850 | $146,450 | 40 | $106,214 |
| Washington | $102,920 | $49.48 | $65,470 | $133,410 | 100 | $96,175 |
| Arizona | $102,730 | $49.39 | $81,560 | $138,830 | 50 | $102,039 |
| Florida | $102,330 | $49.20 | $74,860 | $124,950 | 100 | $98,952 |
| Minnesota | $102,010 | $49.04 | $82,580 | $111,520 | 160 | $103,436 |
| Connecticut | $101,640 | $48.87 | $72,290 | $129,990 | 50 | $98,099 |
| Ohio | $100,670 | $48.40 | $80,860 | $108,940 | 120 | $108,511 |
| District of Columbia | $100,380 | $48.26 | $77,450 | $114,960 | 40 | $91,337 |
| Virginia | $99,960 | $48.06 | $73,610 | $134,220 | 100 | $98,868 |
| Kentucky | $99,770 | $47.97 | $80,410 | $114,290 | 50 | $110,660 |
| Texas | $99,450 | $47.81 | $76,380 | $118,840 | – | $102,466 |
| Utah | $98,430 | $47.32 | $84,170 | $134,920 | 50 | $99,561 |
| Massachusetts | $97,240 | $46.75 | $81,510 | $145,310 | 200 | $91,947 |
| Illinois | $95,880 | $46.10 | $83,840 | $116,140 | 90 | $95,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,930 | $45.64 | $81,790 | $121,120 | 230 | $97,292 |
| Tennessee | $94,380 | $45.38 | $94,380 | $94,380 | 340 | $102,732 |
| Maryland | $94,050 | $45.22 | $81,800 | $130,870 | 50 | $89,606 |
| South Carolina | $93,600 | $45.00 | $79,240 | $114,110 | 40 | $99,841 |
| North Carolina | $93,570 | $44.99 | $79,540 | $111,840 | 80 | $99,199 |
| Wisconsin | $92,170 | $44.31 | $55,090 | $112,270 | 110 | $97,954 |
| Indiana | $89,640 | $43.10 | $50,900 | $115,250 | 40 | $96,047 |
| Michigan | $84,970 | $40.85 | $73,750 | $107,960 | 80 | $88,311 |
| Missouri | $83,980 | $40.38 | $78,090 | $110,260 | 40 | $92,472 |
| Georgia | $82,750 | $39.78 | $40,450 | $131,150 | – | $85,936 |
BLS does not publish pay for genetic counselors in 23 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Genetic counselor salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes genetic counselor pay: 19 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $177,990
- San Jose, CA $165,920
- Los Angeles, CA $120,560
- New York, NY $109,130
- Philadelphia, PA $106,010
- Seattle, WA $102,920
- Phoenix, AZ $102,710
- Minneapolis, MN $102,010
- Dallas, TX $101,390
- Washington, DC $100,380
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Francisco, CA $153,953
- San Jose, CA $150,259
- Los Angeles, CA $106,159
- Pittsburgh, PA $104,604
- Philadelphia, PA $103,370
- Phoenix, AZ $99,413
- Atlanta, GA $98,603
- Houston, TX $98,409
- Dallas, TX $98,351
- Salt Lake City, UT $97,583
All 19 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $177,990 | 120 | $153,953 | 23% |
| San Jose, CA | $165,920 | 80 | $150,259 | 28% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $120,560 | 130 | $106,159 | 29% |
| New York, NY | $109,130 | 390 | $96,950 | 39% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $106,010 | 130 | $103,370 | 22% |
| Seattle, WA | $102,920 | 80 | $92,610 | 26% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $102,710 | 40 | $99,413 | 20% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $102,010 | 80 | $97,317 | 20% |
| Dallas, TX | $101,390 | – | $98,351 | 20% |
| Washington, DC | $100,380 | 80 | $92,190 | 29% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $99,030 | 100 | $104,604 | 18% |
| Atlanta, GA | $98,660 | – | $98,603 | 22% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $98,430 | 50 | $97,583 | 20% |
| Boston, MA | $97,240 | 180 | $89,816 | 37% |
| Houston, TX | $97,060 | 50 | $98,409 | 20% |
| Chicago, IL | $95,880 | 80 | $92,553 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $89,600 | 40 | $92,099 | 24% |
| Baltimore, MD | $89,190 | 40 | $85,360 | 26% |
| Detroit, MI | $82,230 | 40 | $81,986 | 22% |
What the median genetic counselor salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $100,040 |
| Month | $8,337 |
| Every two weeks | $3,848 |
| Week | $1,924 |
| Hour | $48.09 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a genetic counselor: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +10.4% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 300 |
| Self-employed | 7.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about genetic counselor pay
How much does a genetic counselor make an hour?
The median is $48.09 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37.63 and the top 10% over $66.71.
How much does a genetic counselor make a month?
About $8,337 a month before taxes at the median salary of $100,040, or $3,848 every two weeks.
What state pays genetic counselors the most?
California, with a median of $137,650. New Jersey ($117,750), New York ($107,450), Colorado ($106,100) and Delaware ($106,010) follow.
Where do genetic counselors make the most after cost of living?
California: its median of $137,650 is worth $124,323 at typical US prices. Kentucky, Ohio and New Jersey come next.
How much do entry-level genetic counselors make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of genetic counselors earn under $78,270 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $88,900, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a genetic counselor?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-9092 (Genetic Counselors). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.