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Job outlook for genetic counselors in the United States
Are genetic counselor jobs in demand?
Genetic counselor job and salary trends over time
Genetic counselor jobs over time
Genetic counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,523 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,268 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,329 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,468 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,479 | 0.00% |
Average genetic counselor salary over time
Genetic counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,761 | $35.94 | +4.7% |
| 2025 | $71,429 | $34.34 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $70,112 | $33.71 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $67,591 | $32.50 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | $64,659 | $31.09 | +2.8% |
Genetic counselor jobs by state
Most common states for genetic counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 90 | 13% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 107 | 10% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,036 | 8% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 64 | 7% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 49 | 7% |
| 6 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 430 | 6% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 224 | 6% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 67 | 6% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 48 | 6% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 37 | 6% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 916 | 5% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 638 | 5% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 422 | 5% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 376 | 5% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 326 | 5% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 317 | 5% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 292 | 5% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 271 | 5% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 67 | 5% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 34 | 5% |
Most common cities for genetic counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto | 2 | 3% | $130,956 |
| 2 | Terre Haute | 2 | 3% | $77,637 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $82,839 |
| 4 | Bowling Green | 1 | 3% | $71,553 |
| 5 | Charlottesville | 1 | 2% | $67,349 |
| 6 | Boston | 6 | 1% | $85,684 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $79,062 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $59,809 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu | 3 | 1% | $57,919 |
| 10 | Aurora | 2 | 1% | $73,862 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $122,718 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $83,243 |
| 13 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $118,522 |
| 14 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $87,080 |
| 15 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $78,468 |
| 16 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $72,509 |
| 17 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $63,162 |
Genetic Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of genetic counselor experts
Western Illinois University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Case Western Reserve University
University of California, Irvine
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Carolina Christian College
National Society of Genetic Counselors
Montana State University – Bozeman
American University
California State University Long Beach
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Ohio University
Elms College
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
Oral Roberts University
Rider University
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Education and Credentials: Invest in obtaining advanced degrees and relevant certifications that enhance your qualifications and marketability. A master's or doctoral degree in counseling psychology, along with licensure or certification in your jurisdiction, can significantly increase your earning potential. Specialization and Niche Expertise: Develop expertise in specialized areas of counseling psychology that are in demand or command higher fees. Consider focusing on niche populations, such as children and adolescents, trauma survivors, couples therapy, family therapy and acquire specialized training or certifications to differentiate yourself in the market. Clinical Experience and Internships: Gain diverse clinical experience through internships, practicum placements, and supervised training opportunities. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Stay abreast of emerging trends, research findings, and evidence-based practices in counseling psychology through continuing education, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: A practicing counselor's day is often full of sessions with clients. These sessions may be individual therapy, couples/families, or groups of individuals with some shared presenting issue. Counselors also have to complete paperwork associated with these sessions throughout the day. Some counselors also provide supervision to newer practitioners as a part of their work roles.
What will help Genetic Counselors increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Specialist in School Psychology and Clinical/ Community Mental Health Graduate ProgramsWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What soft skills should all Genetic Counselors possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Genetic Counselors?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
What skills will help Genetic Counselors earn the most?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include teletherapy and trauma-informed care.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Genetic Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Hua Lou Ph.D.: Given how Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson are saving the world, biotech companies are very attractive to graduates.
What soft skills should all Genetic Counselors possess?
Hua Lou Ph.D.: Communication and teamwork.
How have salaries changed over time for Genetic Counselors?
Hua Lou Ph.D.: This is a question that is a little difficult for me to answer for the following reasons. First, I do not usually get the salary information from our graduates. Second, depending on where our graduates go after getting their PhD, there is a rather wide range in salary. If they continue their research training by pursuing a postdoctoral position, their salary would follow the NIH guideline, which is $53.7K for 2021. If they get a position in industry, their salary could be up to $100K.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Genetic Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Rebecca LeShay: I think the trends we will see are going to reflect trends in the job market, as a whole, such as reduced availability of jobs and possibly the growth of remote jobs. However, as many genetics services are provided in-person via clinical or lab sites, I think we will continue to see a large proportion of genetics positions that are in person. In addition, as many of these roles are deemed essential services, there continue to be open positions for genetics providers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Genetic Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Rebecca LeShay: Some technologies being regularly discussed in the genetics community are whole genome sequencing and RNA analysis, both of which may help us improve yield for known pathogenic mutations (disease-causing genetic changes). In the realm of oncology, tumor testing is becoming increasingly important for determining treatment. For prenatal patients, there is ongoing research to effectively expand current tests to evaluate for additional genetic conditions in the fetus, based on fragments of placental DNA in maternal blood.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Rebecca LeShay: Demand in clinical genetics is expanding faster than graduates can fill jobs, both as genetic counselors and medical geneticists. I do not know as much about laboratory genetics, but I suspect there may be significant growth in that field, as well, as new labs are founded, and existing labs expand. I suspect that we will continue to see increased demand for genetics specialists for the next several years, if not longer.
How do you envision technology impacting Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Brian Ogolsky Ph.D.: The pandemic has taught us that we have to adapt to change, and technology has proven an essential form of adaptability. It is clear that employers now see that employees can work remotely, so I expect a lot more of this in the future. It benefits the employers financially (less overhead, etc.) and to employees (more flexibility). That said, work at home arrangements disproportionately affects women with children because they pick up more of the child care burden. This means that more needs to be done to support working parents (women, mostly) to help allow productivity and promote mental health.
What type of skills will young Genetic Counselors need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
How do you envision technology impacting Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Andrew Wood: I believe more of our ministry and higher education will be done online. During the pandemic, many people have taken advantage of the opportunity to participate in online church, and I think not all will return to in-person church. Churches and educational institutions have an excellent opportunity to expand their impact globally. We need young people who are tech-savvy and culturally fluent while having a solid grounding in Scripture and an appreciation of the Christian tradition's positive aspects.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Genetic Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Gillian Hooker Ph.D,: The genetic counseling job market continues to be strong. One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen during the pandemic is many genetic counselors are shifting to telehealth, making job applicants with experience in this area more valuable than ever. Patients are not only more receptive to these models than ever before; in many cases they are asking for them.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Genetic Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Gillian Hooker Ph.D,: On the clinical practice side, technologies for providing services by telehealth are innovating rapidly and enabling secure, reliable access to genetic counselors.
On the genomic technologies side, the range of different tests available to support patients seeking answers about genetics continues to grow in size and complexity.
-One major area of innovation is in the area of cancer screening tests - over the next few years we will see many tests entering the market aiming to identify patients with cancer biomarkers in their blood. These tests will be used for patients with cancer, to learn more about their tumors, patients who have been treated for cancer, to determine if their cancer has come back, and patients who have never had cancer, to screen for new cancers. Genetic counselors will be well positioned to help patients determine whether they are candidates for these tests and/or to help them identify the right tests for their personal and family history.
-The prenatal testing options also continue to grow and increase in complexity. Many of these tests are becoming more routine and ordered by OB-GYNs. Genetic counselors are increasingly focusing on patients for whom the test results are concerning or require follow up.
-The applications of genetics to human health continue to expand into new areas of medicine. Accordingly, genetic counselors are moving into new areas at a rapid pace, specializing in areas such as neurology, cardiology, nephrology, immunology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, etc. - bringing genetic expertise to the teams of providers caring for patients in these areas. --With new treatments, such as gene therapies, the demand for genetic experts continues to grow.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Gillian Hooker Ph.D,: All signs are that it will continue to increase. The field of genetic counseling has arisen to help bring innovation into the clinic, bridging the gap between genomic technologies and the human beings who can benefit from them. As long as scientists continue to innovate, opportunities for genetic counselors will continue to grow.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Genetic Counselors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Michelle Newton-Francis Ph.D.: The upheaval of the pandemic sees graduates entering the worst job market in more than a decade. Still, some forecasters say it is slowly getting better. I encourage graduates to remain flexible in their thinking and search strategies. For example, many companies will expand their remote positions, opening opportunities for jobs they may not have previously considered due to geographic location. Pandemic or not, graduates may not obtain their "dream job" right away and should also consider opportunities that build transferable skills. Pandemic or not, job searching should always be treated like a full-time job. It is just more challenging and competitive right now. Networking is vital and remains one of the most viable ways to get a job. To create networks, students should take advantage of virtual or socially distanced internships, which build contacts and skills. Students and alumni often overlook their college career centers, which offer invaluable services (and connections), including virtual career fairs and meetings with potential employers.
Maria Claver Ph.D.
Director of the Gerontology ProgramCalifornia State University Long Beach
Gerontology Program
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Maria Claver Ph.D.: There will be an increase in the demand for graduates in Gerontology in the next five years. We know that, given the rapid aging of our population in the United States and throughout the world, there are not nearly enough professionals trained in meeting the various needs of an older community. Moreover, I believe that society will finally recognize the need for specialists in the aging field in areas that have not traditionally employed gerontologists, such as marketing and banking, and fashion design!
What type of skills will young Genetic Counselors need?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Genetic Counselors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Graduates will have the opportunity to shape the future and help solve problems. Numerous organizations are attempting to solve social issues and environmental challenges. The world needs, and subsequently, employment is available for passionate graduates ready to invest their energy into solving problems.
How do you envision technology impacting Genetic Counselors in the next 5 years?
Christine Suniti Bhat: The pandemic has already altered the way in which school counselors are engaging with their students. The importance of learning management systems and dynamic tools to interact with students online will continue to grow. School counselors will have to be prepared to deliver individual services as well as group and class interventions using technologies such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
This is something that we would not have anticipated five years ago. School counselors may also have to address issues related to isolation, loneliness, and excessive screen time, along with some of the issues that are related to the misuse of technology such as cyberbullying and sexting. Prevention (before problems arise) and intervention (addressing issues after they arise) are both important. Overall, health and wellness in relation to the use of technology will become more important.
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Genetic Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: The goal is to connect and to be able to create meaningful connections with those you serve, those you are attempting to teach or preach. Zoom will continue to be a vital video-conferencing platform. Depending on the age group you serve, social media platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, and FB (Live) will also be essential to creating community and delivering transformative content.
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Curriculum and instruction are such a broad field that graduates can tailor their job searches to fit their particular interests. Whether a candidate wants to focus on pedagogical development, curriculum development, instructional strategies, or program evaluation and data analysis, advanced degree programs in curriculum and instruction allow them to do so. The job market is changing right now, with many educational entities shifting to either a hybrid or entirely virtual model for students. With this change, graduates will need to adapt to a more technological-based environment in which they operate.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Genetic Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.
Dr. Bill Buker
Associate Dean and Professor of Professional CounselingOral Roberts University
Theology
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Genetic Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Bill Buker: Your second question about technology is challenging to predict, as that innovation area seems to change so rapidly. One thing that we are learning, as a result of coping with the challenges created by Covid-19, is that virtual learning, which technology makes possible, allows us to extend the influence of our classrooms and ministries, literally, around the world. I suspect that as the pandemic subsides, and a new normal is eventually established, it will involve more telelearning platforms.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Genetic Counselors?
Dr. Bill Buker: In response to your third question regarding the possibility of an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates, I think it's impossible to walk through such a challenging and unprecedented experience without lasting effects. While I can't predict what all of these might entail, I hope, that in discovering the positive and creative outcomes that will emerge out of this pandemic, one effect will be increased trust in God's redemptive activity's Spirit in the world. I'm hopeful that our theology and ministry graduates will recognize the importance of following the Spirit's leading and will intentionally seek to keep in step with what the Spirit is doing, so that they can be collaborative partners with God in the unfolding of his redemptive story.
Juleen Buser Ph.D.
Professor and Director, School Counseling and Coaching ProgramsRider University
Graduate Education
What general advice would you give to a Genetic Counselor?
Juleen Buser Ph.D.: Counseling Services (school counseling concentration) and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (we have a CMHC concentration and a Dance Movement Therapy concentration in this program). The general advice I would give to graduates starting positions in the counseling field would be to understand the critical importance of the work of helping professionals. Counselors optimally provide a safe space for clients to discuss their fears, worries, anxieties, joys, traumas, insecurities, accomplishments, etc. This ability to be an empathic, listening, accepting presence will be even more crucial for clients in our current situation.