How long does it take to become a genetic counselor?

Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do genetic counselors make?

The US median is $100,040 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a genetic counselor?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a genetic counselor?

108 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a genetic counselor

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-9092

$100,040US median pay, 2025

+10.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

300Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Master's degree
Work as a genetic counselor

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Genetics, General	CIP 26.0801	36
Human/Medical Genetics	CIP 26.0806	36
Genetic Counseling/Counselor	CIP 51.1509	34
Genome Sciences/Genomics	CIP 26.0807	19
Molecular Genetics	CIP 26.0802	15
Genetics, Other	CIP 26.0899	3
Public Health Genetics	CIP 51.2214	0

See the 108 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a genetic counselor?: Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do genetic counselors make?: The US median is $100,040 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a genetic counselor?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a genetic counselor?: 108 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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