Genetic Counselor salary
From 55 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 29-9092: Genetic Counselors
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 62% of Genetic Counselor filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 13% since FY2020. From $79,706 in FY2020 to $90,000 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Genetic Counselor H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 55 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Genetic Counselor jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 29-9092, Genetic Counselors). The median base salary is $90,000, 27% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $82,077 and $100,518. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 62% of filings.
Is your Genetic Counselor offer competitive?
Enter the base salary in your offer. We compare it with certified H-1B filings for Genetic Counselor jobs, nationally or in one metro area.
Enter a salary to see where it falls.
Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 62% of filings
Mid-level · 38% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $86,128 | 29 |
| Level II · Qualified | $91,239 | 18 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Genetic Counselor does
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.
Typical tasks
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
- Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
Preparation
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
O*NET occupation: Genetic Counselors (29-9092.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Genetic Counselors), the median annual wage was $100,040 in May 2025, with 3,740 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $90,000, 10% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,941 | $78,270 |
| 25th percentile | $82,077 | $88,900 |
| Median | $90,000 | $100,040 |
| 75th percentile | $100,518 | $116,140 |
| 90th percentile | $111,305 | $138,760 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $75,941 |
| 25th | $82,077 |
| 50th (median) | $90,000 |
| 75th | $100,518 |
| 90th | $111,305 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $79,706 | $71,115 | $92,025 | 29 |
| FY2021 | $91,054 | $80,743 | $100,388 | 23 |
| FY2022 | $82,077 | $76,933 | $95,000 | 29 |
| FY2023 | $81,870 | $68,944 | $91,038 | 31 |
| FY2024 | $85,775 | $80,010 | $99,958 | 26 |
| FY2025 | $93,423 | $81,051 | $101,852 | 26 |
| FY2026 | $90,000 | $85,824 | $100,000 | 29 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Genetic Counselor make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Genetic Counselor jobs is $90,000 (55 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $82,077 and $100,518.
What does an entry-level Genetic Counselor earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $86,128. Level I accounts for 62% of Genetic Counselor filings.
Do H-1B Genetic Counselors earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($90,000) is 10% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($100,040, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.