Genetic counselors
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. The role reports a median annual salary of $98,910 in the US and is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a Master's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.43 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £42,079 a year for Other health professionals n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £34,346 to £49,077 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2259). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Genetic counselors, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Genetics — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Genetics, or B.Sc with genetics as a subject (three or four years)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Biology
- Psychology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Sociology and Anthropology
What you'd actually do
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Genetic counselors do?
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
How much does Genetic counselors earn?
The median annual salary for Genetic counselors in the US is $98,910.
What is the job outlook for Genetic counselors?
The role is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 4,000 workers.
How do I become genetic counselors?
The typical entry education is a Master's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Genetic counselors need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Genetic counselors?
Our AI-durability model gives Genetic counselors a score of 0.43 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Genetic counselors has high barrier to entry — highly gated — a graduate degree or extended training/apprenticeship is typically required.