Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between genetic counselors and occupational therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an occupational therapist has an average salary of $75,707, which is higher than the $74,761 average annual salary of a genetic counselor.
The top three skills for a genetic counselor include patients, test results and family history. The most important skills for an occupational therapist are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.
| Genetic Counselor | Occupational Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $74,761 | $75,707 |
| Hourly rate | $35.94 | $36.40 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 27,215 | 78,315 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A genetic counselor is a healthcare professional who is responsible for providing risk assessment, education, and support to individuals and families who are at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. Using their specialization in medical genetics and counseling, genetic counselors empower their patients by helping them understand the ways genetics can affect life. They provide emotional support to individuals and families by offering genetic counseling. Genetic counselors must also interpret genetic testing and explain information to their patients in a way that is easy to understand.
An occupational therapist specializes in treating patients who are recovering from illnesses or disabilities to help them adapt and overcome the physical and mental difficulties they face in their daily lives. The responsibilities of an occupational therapist revolve around examining a patient's medical history and conducting different kinds of assessments to determine what type of treatment a patient should receive. Furthermore, an occupational therapist must build rapport with a patient to make them feel at ease and coordinate with their guardian or family to discuss the recommended ways to help the patient adjust and recuperate.
Genetic counselors and occupational therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Genetic Counselor | Occupational Therapist | |
| Average salary | $74,761 | $75,707 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $143,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Salinas, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Hoag | Waters |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Professional |
There are a few differences between a genetic counselor and an occupational therapist in terms of educational background:
| Genetic Counselor | Occupational Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Mental Health Counseling | Occupational Therapy |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between genetic counselors' and occupational therapists' demographics:
| Genetic Counselor | Occupational Therapist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1% | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 8.4% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 9.6% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 14% |