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Certified Genetic Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Genetic Counselor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Genetic Counselor in the United States is $97,626 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, a Certified Genetic Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,788
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,114 to $110,797
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,454
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Certified Genetic Counselor Salaries

A Certified Genetic Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Genetic Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Genetic Counselor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $95,380
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,644
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,365
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $105,404
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,836
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Genetic Counselor$95,380
Intermediate Level Certified Genetic Counselor$95,644
Senior Level Certified Genetic Counselor$99,365
Specialist Level Certified Genetic Counselor$105,404
Expert Level Certified Genetic Counselor$105,836
View as Graph

How Do Certified Genetic Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Genetic Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $108,092.
  • California: $107,682.
  • Massachusetts: $106,246.

Top Paying Cities for Certified Genetic Counselors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $123,136
  • San Francisco: $121,788
  • Oakland: $119,221

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Genetic Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.58% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 2.02% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • Direct Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Direct patient care Hands on, face-to-face contact with patients for the purpose of diagnosis, treatment. and monitoring.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.58%
Case Management 2.02%
Direct Patient Care 1.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Genetic Counselor's salary.

  • Cardiac: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Billing: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cardiac $111,294
14%
Billing $105,436
8%
Collaboration $104,460
7%
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Certified Genetic Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Genetic Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 25% above the average. Conversely, Certified Genetic Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Genetic Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Genetic Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$122,033$59.025%

How Education impacts a Certified Genetic Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Genetic Counselors enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Genetic Counselor with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $83,809 and $88,753).

Certified Genetic Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Genetic Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 3.4%
Associates 7.9%
Bachelors 7.9%
Masters 76.4%
Doctorate 11.2%
View as Graph

Certified Genetic Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Genetic Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$88,114
Average $97,626/year
$110,797
$7,343
Average $8,136/month
$9,233
$1,695
Average $1,877/week
$2,131
$42
Average $47/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $110,797 $9,233 $2,131 $53
Average $97,626 $8,136 $1,877 $47
25th Percentile $88,114 $7,343 $1,695 $42

Most common benefits for Certified Genetic Counselor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Certified Genetic Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Certified Genetic Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Certified Genetic Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Genetic Counselor?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Genetic Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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