Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Genetic Counselor 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. 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 & 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. Certifications for genetic counselors are also available. 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. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of genetic counselors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, 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 As advances in genetic research and technology allow more genetic tests to be developed, more genetic counselors will be needed to help individuals understand results, assess their genetic risks, and make informed decisions. In addition, growing recognition of the role genetics plays in health and the value genetic data has for patient care management should further strengthen the demand for genetic counseling services. Genetic Counselors Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Genetic counselors 10% Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations 10% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Genetic Counselors Do
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
Work Environment
Genetic counselors held about 4,200 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of genetic counselors were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 37% |
| Offices of physicians | 28 |
| Outpatient care centers | 5 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private | 5 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 4 |
Genetic counselors work with individuals, families, and other healthcare providers.
Work Schedules
Most genetic counselors work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
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.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.