Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Genetic counselors work in university medical centers, private and public hospitals, and physicians' offices. They work with families, patients, and other medical professionals. Most genetic counselors work full time.
Genetic counselors typically need a master's degree in genetic counseling or genetics, and board certification.
The median annual wage for genetic counselors was $72,090 in May 2015.
Employment of genetic counselors is projected to grow 29 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing technological innovations, including improvements in lab tests and developments in genomics, which is the study of the whole genome, are giving counselors the opportunities to conduct more types of analyses.
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for genetic counselors.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of genetic counselors with similar occupations.
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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