How to Become a Genetic Counselor
Help patients and families understand inherited-condition risk, interpret genetic test results, and make informed medical decisions. It typically requires a master's degree, with a median salary of $100,040 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$100,040/yr
Middle half
$88,900 to $116,140
Job growth
Much faster than average
Openings / yr
300
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Genetics
- Risk Assessment
- Counseling
- Active Learning
- Communication
Helpful certifications
- CGC (American Board of Genetic Counseling)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
51/100
Work-life balance
63/100
Stress level
56/100
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Genetic Counselor make?
The median pay for a Genetic Counselor is $100,040 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $88,900 and $116,140 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Genetic Counselor?
The usual entry point is a master's degree. Common majors are Genetics, Biology, Psychology, and Public Health.
Is Genetic Counselor a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is much faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 300 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Genetic Counselor use most?
Common skills for this role are Genetics, Risk Assessment, Counseling, Active Learning, and Communication.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).