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Clinical genetics
Genetic Counselor
Explaining a result that will change how a family sees itself.
Typical pay
$85k-$125k
How you get in
2-year master's plus ABGC certification
Outlook
Very strong; demand outpaces the number of graduates
Genetic counselors interpret genetic testing and help patients understand risk and options. It blends hard science with sustained counseling work, and the field is small, growing fast and highly competitive to enter.
A day in the life
- 8:30aReview pedigrees and prepare for the day's cases
- 9:00aPrenatal counseling session, an hour long
- 10:30aCoordinate testing and insurance authorization
- 12:00pLunch
- 1:00pCancer risk assessment appointment
- 3:30pDisclose results by phone, then document
How to get in
Master's in genetic counseling
Duration
6 years total
Cost
$40,000-$100,000
Credential
Certified Genetic Counselor via ABGC
- Complete a bachelor's in biology, genetics or psychology
- Get advocacy or crisis counseling experience — programs weight this heavily
- Complete a two-year ACGC-accredited master's with clinical rotations
- Pass the ABGC certification exam
Laboratory and industry roles
Duration
6 years total
Cost
$40,000-$100,000
Credential
CGC certification
- Complete the same master's and certification
- Work for a genetic testing laboratory rather than a clinic
- Roles in variant interpretation, education and medical affairs
- Often remote, and generally better paid than clinical positions
Genetic counseling assistant first
Duration
1-2 years
Cost
$0
Credential
Bachelor's plus on-the-job training
- Work as a genetic counseling assistant coordinating testing and intake
- Build the clinical exposure that strengthens a competitive application
- Confirm the field fits before committing to a scarce program seat
- A growing role that did not exist a decade ago
What people love
- · Science and counseling combined
- · Strong pay for a two-year master's
- · Telehealth and lab roles are widely available
- · Field is expanding quickly with genomic medicine
What wears people down
- · Very few programs and intensely competitive admission
- · Emotionally heavy conversations are the core of the job
- · Insurance battles over test coverage
- · Small field, so geography can be limiting