Genetic Counselors

Health Science · Therapeutic Services

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 29-9092.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure is published for this career)

$76k10th$99kMedian$119k90th

New workers start near $76,380; experienced workers reach $118,840

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

Employment change: +9%; nationwide
Openings a year: 300; nationwide, from growth and people leaving
Employed in 2024: 4,000; nationwide

Typical entry education: Master's degree

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

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Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Reading Comprehension4.8
Active Listening4.0
Complex Problem Solving3.8
Writing4.3
Critical Thinking4.1
Social Perceptiveness4.0
Speaking3.9
Active Learning3.9

What the work is

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.

Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

Master's degree100%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

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