Genetic Counselor salary in Illinois
Genetic Counselors in Illinois earn a median of $95,880 a year ($46.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,140 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,040. Illinois ranks 18th of 28 states for genetic counselors pay. There are 0.01 genetic counselors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $96,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for genetic counselors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| 25th percentile | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| Median | $95,880 | $46.10 |
| 75th percentile | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,140 | $55.84 |
| Average (mean) | $96,580 | $46.43 |
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 | $7,990 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,995 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,687.69 |
| Weekly | $1,843.85 |
| Hourly | $46.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Genetic Counselor salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,880 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for genetic counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $137,650 |
| New Jersey | $117,750 |
| New York | $107,450 |
| Colorado | $106,100 |
| Delaware | $106,010 |
| Washington | $102,920 |
| Arizona | $102,730 |
| Florida | $102,330 |
| Minnesota | $102,010 |
| Connecticut | $101,640 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Assistant | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Athletic Trainer | $64,750 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $71,950 | $34.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for genetic counselors in Illinois is $95,880 a year, or $46.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid genetic counselors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of genetic counselors in Illinois earn at least $116,140 a year. The top 25% earn $104,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for genetic counselors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,840 a year, and a quarter of genetic counselors earn $86,230 or less.
How many genetic counselors work in Illinois?
About 90 genetic counselors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.