Genetic Counselors: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Genetic Counselors

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.

Salary
$89710
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

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.

  • 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.
Read more about what does a Genetic Counselor really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$80860 per year

Average hourly wage
$39 per hour


Genetic Counselors with little to no experience tend to make between $52750 and $68030 while the more experienced ones can earn over $96060 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
NV $46 $95,830
TX $45 $92,960
CA $43 $89,530
CO $42 $87,290
NY $42 $86,810

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Genetic Counselor is to move to a higher paying state like NV. Right now, the highest paying states for Genetic Counselors are NV, TX, CA, CO and NY.

However, a higher pay at NV doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at NV might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Genetic Counselor is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Master’s degree

We asked other Genetic Counselors what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Master’s Degree followed by less than a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Genetic Counseling/Counselor
Read more about how to become a Genetic Counselor and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Genetic Counselor.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
One of the fastest growing careers
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
74%

Is this job meaningful
82%


74% of Genetic Counselors said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Helpers and The Thinkers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.



Learn more about Genetic Counselors

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Genetic Counselors job description, Genetic Counselors salary, Genetic Counselors information, what is the job of a Genetic Counselor like, pros and cons about Genetic Counselors, colleges and universities for Genetic Counselors, is Genetic Counselors the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

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Additional resources