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Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUsxWtP5GgE.
Quick Facts: Genetic Counselors
2023 Median Pay $95,770 per year
$46.05 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2023 3,500
Job Outlook, 2023-33 16% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 600

What Genetic Counselors Do

Genetic counselors assess clients' risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects.

Work Environment

Genetic counselors work primarily in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, university medical centers, and diagnostic laboratories. Most work full time.

How to Become a Genetic Counselor

Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling. Nearly all states require genetic counselors to be licensed, and licensure typically requires board certification.

Pay

The median annual wage for genetic counselors was $95,770 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of genetic counselors is projected to grow 16 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 300 openings for genetic counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for genetic counselors.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of genetic counselors with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about genetic counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Genetic Counselors Do About this section

genetic counselors image
Genetic counselors assess clients' risk for inherited conditions and support decisions made based upon test results.

Genetic counselors assess clients’ risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as birth defects. They review genetic test results with individuals and families and support them in making decisions based on those results. They also offer information to other healthcare providers.

Duties

Genetic counselors typically do the following:

  • Collect comprehensive family and medical histories through means such as interviews, discussions with physicians, and reviewing medical records
  • Evaluate genetic information to identify clients at risk for specific hereditary disorders
  • Document information from counseling sessions to send to clients or to referring physicians
  • Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with clients and other healthcare providers
  • Educate clients and provide information about genetic risks and inherited conditions
  • Provide psychological, emotional, or other support to clients distressed by test results
  • Research hereditary disorders and developments in the field of genetics

Genetic counselors identify hereditary risks through the study of genetics. Specifically, they study genetic disorders or syndromes that are inherited from one’s family. Prospective parents may consult genetic counselors to assess the risk of having children with hereditary disorders, such as cystic fibrosis. Genetic counselors also assess the risk for an individual to develop a disease, such as certain forms of cancer.

Counselors use DNA testing to identify clients’ inherited conditions. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform lab tests, which genetic counselors then evaluate and use for counseling clients. They share this information with other healthcare providers, such as physicians.

Genetic counselors may focus on a particular area of genetic counseling, such as prenatal, cancer, or pediatric. They also may work in one or more specialty fields, such as cardiovascular health, genomic medicine, or psychiatry.

Work Environment About this section

genetic counselors image
Genetic counselors work with clients and their families in a variety of settings.

Genetic counselors held about 3,500 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of genetic counselors were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private 43%
Offices of physicians 18
Outpatient care centers 8
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 6
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private 5

Genetic counselors work with individuals, families, and other healthcare providers.

Work Schedules

Most genetic counselors work full time.

How to Become a Genetic Counselor About this section

genetic counselors image
Genetic counselors must be sensitive and compassionate when communicating their findings.

Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling. Nearly all states require genetic counselors to be licensed, and licensure usually requires board certification.

Education

Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling. Admission to master’s degree programs varies. Some schools require a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, such as biology. Other programs require coursework in subjects such as biology, genetics, or statistics. Prospective students should check with an individual school regarding its requirements.

Genetic counseling programs typically take 2 years of postbaccalaureate study. A list of accredited programs is available from the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.

In addition to medical topics, coursework in genetic counseling focuses on client interaction and research. Students typically complete supervised clinical rotations that provide students an opportunity to work with clients in different clinical environments.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Most states require genetic counselors to be licensed. Although requirements vary by state, licensure typically requires certification. For specific information, contact your state’s medical board.

The American Board of Genetic Counseling offers certification for genetic counselors. To become certified, candidates must complete an accredited master’s degree program and pass an exam. Counselors must complete continuing education courses to maintain board certification.

Even in states that do not require certification, employers may require or prefer that job candidates be certified or receive certification within a specified time after being hired.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Genetic counselors must be able to explain complex information in a way that their clients understand.

Compassion. Genetic counselors must be sensitive and empathetic when discussing clients’ options regarding potentially upsetting test results.

Critical-thinking skills. Genetic counselors recommend the proper test and analyze findings for each client.

Interpersonal skills. Genetic counselors must be able to relate well with clients and their families, as well as to work with other healthcare providers offering services to clients.

Organizational skills. Genetic counselors manage multiple clients and must keep accurate, complete records on each of them.

Pay About this section

Genetic Counselors

Median annual wages, May 2023

Genetic counselors

$95,770

Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations

$61,020

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

The median annual wage for genetic counselors was $95,770 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $72,530, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $132,190.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for genetic counselors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Outpatient care centers $124,260
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 107,970
Hospitals; state, local, and private 94,760
Offices of physicians 93,690
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private 89,980

Most genetic counselors work full time.

Job Outlook About this section

Genetic Counselors

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Genetic counselors

16%

Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations

11%

Total, all occupations

4%

 

Employment of genetic counselors is projected to grow 16 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 300 openings for genetic counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment growth is expected as ongoing technological innovations are giving genetic counselors opportunities to conduct more types of analyses. Developments in cancer genomics, for example, increasingly allow these counselors to determine a patient’s risk for specific types of cancer. In addition, the number and types of lab tests that genetic counselors can evaluate have increased over the past few years. Many of these tests are covered by health insurance providers, which should further strengthen the demand for genetic counseling services.

Employment projections data for genetic counselors, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Genetic counselors

29-9092 3,500 4,100 16 600 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of genetic counselors.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Epidemiologists Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists are public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.

Master's degree $81,390
Health educators Health Education Specialists

Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.

Bachelor's degree $62,860
Medical scientists Medical Scientists

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.

Doctoral or professional degree $100,890
Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.

Master's degree $58,510
Physicians and surgeons Physicians and Surgeons

Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.

Doctoral or professional degree This wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about genetic counselors, certification, and schools offering education in genetic counseling, visit

American Board of Genetic Counseling

For more information about genetic counseling career requirements and developments in genetics, including licensure, visit

National Society of Genetic Counselors

For more information about accreditation and schools offering education in genetic counseling, visit

Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling

CareerOneStop

For a career video on genetic counselors, visit

Genetic Counselors

O*NET

Genetic Counselors

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Genetic Counselors,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/genetic-counselors.htm (visited October 22, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024

What They Do

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Work Environment

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Pay

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State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

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Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.