Genetic Counselor salary in the U.S.
Genetic Counselors in the U.S. earn a median of $100,040 a year ($48.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,760 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $104,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for genetic counselors in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| 25th percentile | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Median | $100,040 | $48.09 |
| 75th percentile | $116,140 | $55.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,760 | $66.71 |
| Average (mean) | $104,620 | $50.30 |
Half of genetic counselors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,336.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,168.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,847.69 |
| Weekly | $1,923.85 |
| Hourly | $48.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Genetic Counselor salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| California | $137,650 | 440 |
| New Jersey | $117,750 | 240 |
| New York | $107,450 | 240 |
| Colorado | $106,100 | 40 |
| Delaware | $106,010 | 40 |
| Washington | $102,920 | 100 |
| Arizona | $102,730 | 50 |
| Florida | $102,330 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $102,010 | 160 |
| Connecticut | $101,640 | 50 |
| Ohio | $100,670 | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $100,380 | 40 |
| Virginia | $99,960 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $99,770 | 50 |
| Texas | $99,450 | n/a |
| Utah | $98,430 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $97,240 | 200 |
| Illinois | $95,880 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,930 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $94,380 | 340 |
| Maryland | $94,050 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $93,600 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $93,570 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $92,170 | 110 |
| Indiana | $89,640 | 40 |
| Michigan | $84,970 | 80 |
| Missouri | $83,980 | 40 |
| Georgia | $82,750 | n/a |
Best-paying metro areas for genetic counselors
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $177,990 | 120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,920 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $120,560 | 130 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,130 | 390 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $106,010 | 130 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,920 | 80 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $102,710 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $102,010 | 80 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $101,390 | n/a |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $100,380 | 80 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $99,030 | 100 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $98,660 | n/a |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $98,430 | 50 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $97,240 | 180 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $97,060 | 50 |
Metro areas with the most genetic counselors
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 390 | $109,130 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 180 | $97,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 130 | $120,560 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 130 | $106,010 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 120 | $177,990 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 100 | $99,030 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 80 | $95,880 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 80 | $102,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 80 | $165,920 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 80 | $102,920 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 80 | $100,380 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 50 | $97,060 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 50 | $98,430 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 40 | $89,190 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 40 | $82,230 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $65,790 | $31.63 |
| Athletic Trainer | $62,520 | — |
| Surgical Assistant | $66,800 | $32.11 |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $265,930 | $127.85 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | $47.16 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a genetic counselor make in the U.S.?
The median salary for genetic counselors in the U.S. is $100,040 a year, or $48.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid genetic counselors make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of genetic counselors in the U.S. earn at least $138,760 a year. The top 25% earn $116,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for genetic counselors in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,270 a year, and a quarter of genetic counselors earn $88,900 or less.
How many genetic counselors work in the U.S.?
About 3,740 genetic counselors are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.