California Median
$137,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+38% vs US median
US median $100,040
State Rank
#1 of 28
440 employed here
How much does a Genetic Counselor make in California?
Genetic Counselors in California take home a median of $137,650 annually — roughly $66.18 an hour — which runs 38% above the national median of $100,040.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $105,810 while the top 10% make $178,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $117,700 and $170,450 a year.
Genetic Counselor salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,810 | $50.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $117,700 | $56.59 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $137,650 | $66.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $170,450 | $81.95 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,040 | $85.60 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 28 states and territories for Genetic Counselor pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Genetic Counselor salary in other states
New Jersey $117,750New York $107,450Colorado $106,100Delaware $106,010Washington $102,920Arizona $102,730Florida $102,330Minnesota $102,010Connecticut $101,640Ohio $100,670District of Columbia $100,380Virginia $99,960Kentucky $99,770Texas $99,450Utah $98,430Massachusetts $97,240Illinois $95,880Pennsylvania $94,930Tennessee $94,380Maryland $94,050South Carolina $93,600North Carolina $93,570Wisconsin $92,170Indiana $89,640Michigan $84,970Missouri $83,980Georgia $82,750
Working as a Genetic Counselor in California
Nationally, about 4,000 people work as Genetic Counselors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($137,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Genetic Counselor make in California?
The median Genetic Counselor salary in California is $137,650 per year, or about $66.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $105,810 at the entry level to $178,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Genetic Counselors about 38% more than the national median of $100,040. California ranks 1st out of 28 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Genetic Counselors?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,650 a year. About 440 Genetic Counselors are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Genetic Counselor salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.