Genetic Counselors
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and family histories come first, then analysis of genetic information to see who is at risk for specific disorders. Lab results get interpreted and explained to patients and physicians; you walk through testing options and their risks, benefits, and limits so they can make informed decisions. Counseling covers information, education, and reassurance, and you write detailed consultation reports that translate complex genetic ideas for patients or referring doctors. The work covers areas such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology, and neurology, and may include coordinating lab services or reviewing genetics literature. Better for people who like careful reading of records, plain talk about difficult choices, and precise written reports.
Typical education: Master’s Degree
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$100'040
Median Wage Market Position
$100'040
What you might do
- Analyze genetic information to identify disorder risks
- Interview patients about family medical histories
- Explain testing options, risks, and limits
- Interpret lab results and share findings
- Counsel families facing inherited conditions
- Write detailed reports for doctors and patients
Skills that matter
- Interpretation of genetic laboratory results
- Candid discussion of test risks and limits
- Risk analysis from family medical histories
- Counseling that helps families decide next steps
- Consultation reports that explain complex genetics
- Care plans built from literature and test data
AI & the future of this role
Risk models and report summaries may become more automated, shifting some preparatory analysis. Counseling families through uncertain choices, ethical nuance, and emotional weight still rests on human judgment, so prospects look mixed rather than clearly secure or fragile.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details