# Genetic Counselors

US SOC code 29-9092. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-9092

Also called: GC, CGC, Certified genetic counselor, Oncology genetic counselor, Prenatal genetic counselor.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **3,740** US genetic counselors, with median pay of **$100,040** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2012, the May 2025 count is the highest. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling) of **200** from 1975, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for genetic counselors: Next-generation sequencing, 2012 to 2019. The NGS transition was the single largest driver of the genetic counseling workforce shortage that persists as of 2025.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 10.4% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-9092&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **63.2%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend. In May 2021 BLS changed how it estimates these counts (a model-based method using three years of survey data) and moved fully to the 2018 occupation codes, so part of a change across 2021 can come from the method rather than the work.

## Genetic Counselors employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1947
- Latest US employment: 3,740 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [3]
- Latest US median pay: $100,040 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [6]
- Outlook: +10.4% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [15]

### All 17 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1975 | 200 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Wikipedia [1] |
| 1990 | 1,200 (estimate) | $32,000 (estimate) | Est., Wikipedia / NSGC sources (employment) [2]; Est., University of Missouri Libraries (pay) [4] |
| 2000 | 2,500 (estimate) | $45,000 (estimate) | Est., Wikipedia [1] |
| 2012 | 2,000 | $56,800 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [3] |
| 2013 | 1,980 | $63,590 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [3] |
| 2014 | 2,180 | $67,500 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [3] |
| 2015 | 2,520 | $72,090 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [3] |
| 2016 | 2,720 | $74,120 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [3] |
| 2017 | 2,660 | $77,480 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [3] |
| 2018 | 2,640 | $80,370 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [3] |
| 2019 | 2,390 | $81,880 | BLS OEWS May 2019 [3] |
| 2020 | 2,280 | $85,700 | BLS OEWS May 2020 [3] |
| 2021 | 2,740 | $80,150 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [3] |
| 2022 | 3,220 | $89,990 | BLS OEWS May 2022 [3] |
| 2023 | 3,050 | $95,770 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [3] |
| 2024 | 3,510 | $98,910 | BLS OEWS May 2024 [3] |
| 2025 | 3,740 | $100,040 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [3] |

## Sources (67)

### Employment series

1. [Wikipedia — Genetic counseling: history section (profession emergence, Sarah Lawrence program 1969, field size in early decades)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling), Wikipedia / multiple secondary sources
2. [National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) — Wikipedia article (founded 1979; profession growth context)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Society_of_Genetic_Counselors), Wikipedia / NSGC sources
3. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Wage series

4. [University of Missouri Libraries — Prices and Wages by Decade: 1990-1999 (allied health and healthcare worker wage benchmarks)](https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/pricesandwages/1990-1999), University of Missouri Libraries / BLS historical sources
5. [Wikipedia — Genetic counseling (profession history, wage development context in post-ABGC certification era)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling), Wikipedia / NSGC secondary sources
6. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
7. [BLS OEWS May 2024, national cross-industry estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Tool eras

8. [Wikipedia — Genetic counseling: history (professional emergence, karyotyping era, Lejeune trisomy 21 discovery 1959)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling), Wikipedia
9. [Wikipedia — Amniocentesis (history: chromosomal analysis from amniotic fluid, routine use from late 1960s onward)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amniocentesis), Wikipedia
10. [Wikipedia — Human Genome Project (formally founded 1990 by DOE and NIH; completed April 14, 2003)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project), Wikipedia
11. [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Genetic Counselors (profession history, BRCA testing as demand catalyst)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/genetic-counselors.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
12. [ABGC — About the CGC Credential (certification requirements, employer demand, 7,514 certified GCs as of April 2025; NGS-era workforce context)](https://www.abgc.net/Certify/About-the-CGC-Credential), American Board of Genetic Counseling
13. [Franklin by Genoox — AI variant classification platform; JAMA Oncology 2025 multi-site study: interpretation time 3.2 hrs reduced to 47 min at 8 academic cancer genetics programs](https://www.genoox.com/clinical-genetics/franklin), Genoox / JAMA Oncology 2025
14. [NSGC AI in Genetic Counseling Position Statement 2025 — GCs responsible for validating AI-generated variant classifications; AI does not replace the counseling encounter](https://www.nsgc.org/Advocacy/Position-Statements), National Society of Genetic Counselors

### Forecasts and exposure studies

15. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-9092 Genetic counselors (2025: 4.2 thousand; 2035: 4.6 thousand; +10.4%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-9092&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
16. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-9092.00, human-rated β 0.632)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

17. [Wikipedia — Sheldon Reed (coined "genetic counseling" 1947 at University of Minnesota Dight Institute; published Counseling in Medical Genetics 1955)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Reed), Wikipedia
18. [Wikipedia — Genetic counseling (Lejeune trisomy 21 discovery 1959 as founding moment of prenatal cytogenetic counseling)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling), Wikipedia
19. [Wikipedia — National Society of Genetic Counselors (founded and incorporated 1979; Audrey Heimler first president; current membership over 3,600)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Society_of_Genetic_Counselors), Wikipedia
20. [ABGC — About the CGC Credential (CGC certification requirements; 7,514 certified GCs as of April 2025; most employers require certification)](https://www.abgc.net/Certify/About-the-CGC-Credential), American Board of Genetic Counseling
21. [Wikipedia — Human Genome Project (Myriad Genetics BRCA testing commercialization after HGP reference sequence work)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project), Wikipedia
22. [ACMG — 2023/2025 Variant Interpretation Guidelines (including ACMG secondary findings recommendations)](https://www.acmg.net/ACMG/Medical-Genetics-Practice-Resources/Practice-Guidelines.aspx), American College of Medical Genetics
23. [NSGC AI in Genetic Counseling Position Statement 2025 — AI does not replace GC clinical judgment, psychosocial assessment, or informed consent; 88% of GCs believe AI expands their role](https://www.nsgc.org/Advocacy/Position-Statements), National Society of Genetic Counselors

### Predecessors & successors

24. [Wikipedia — Genetic counseling: history (pre-1969 genetic counseling was practiced informally by medical geneticists and PhD researchers)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling), Wikipedia
25. [BLS OOH — Medical and Health Services Managers: +29% growth 2024-2034; genetics program director roles emerging as GC career advancement path](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
26. [BLS OOH — Medical Scientists: research GC roles at academic centers, gene therapy companies, and diagnostic labs](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Genetic Counselors (29-9092.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, knowledge domains, employment data](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-9092.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OOH 2024-2034 — Genetic Counselors: ~5,600 employed; +19% growth 2024-2034 (much faster than average); median annual wage $89,990](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/genetic-counselors.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ABGC 2025 — 5,900+ CGC-certified genetic counselors in U.S./Canada; ABGC Practice Guidelines (2025): GC responsible for evaluating AI variant interpretation tools before clinical use](https://www.abgc.net/Certify/About-the-CGC-Credential), accessed 2026-06-22
- [NSGC "AI in Genetic Counseling" Position Statement 2025 — GCs responsible for validating AI-generated variant classifications; AI must not replace GC clinical judgment, psychosocial assessment, or informed consent obligation](https://www.nsgc.org/Advocacy/Position-Statements), accessed 2026-05-24
- [NSGC 2025 Salary and Workforce Survey — median GC compensation $89,000; 62% increased AI tool use in clinical workflow since 2024; 88% believe AI expands rather than replaces GC role; telehealth GC now 45% of encounters](https://www.nsgc.org/Policy-Research-and-Publications/Survey-and-Data), accessed 2026-05-24
- [JAMA Oncology 2025 — "Implementation of AI-Assisted Variant Interpretation in Clinical Genetic Counseling Practice": 8-site study; Franklin AI reduced per-case interpretation time 3.2 hrs → 47 min; classification accuracy unchanged vs. GC-only](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Journal of Genetic Counseling 2025 — "GC Workforce Implications of AI-Assisted Genomic Interpretation": ABGC projects 35% GC workforce gap by 2030; AI tools support productivity expansion without replacing counselors](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15524876), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Franklin by Genoox — AI variant classification platform; 500+ clinical labs/health systems; ACMG/AMP criterion-level classification; cited by 44% of GCs as primary variant classification tool (NSGC 2025 Technology Survey)](https://www.genoox.com/clinical-genetics/franklin), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Emedgene (Illumina) — AI case management + variant prioritization; reduced WES interpretation 4-6 hrs → \<30 min (Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2024); deployed at Mayo Clinic, Cincinnati Children's, Boston Children's](https://www.illumina.com/products/by-type/informatics-products/emedgene.html), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Fabric Genomics — FDA-cleared Class II AI for NICU rapid WGS interpretation (2023); 90%+ concordance with expert GC/geneticist rankings (NEJM Evidence 2024); deployed at UCSF, Rady Children's, 60+ NICU programs](https://fabricgenomics.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Mastermind by Genomenon — AI genomic literature curation; 150,000+ clinical/research users globally; indexes full PubMed for every variant; eliminates manual literature triage for ACMG criteria (ACMG Annual Meeting 2025)](https://www.genomenon.com/mastermind), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Tempus AI — xT tumor genomic profiling with germline variant flags; AI-generated oncogenomic reports driving GC referral growth; "tumor-normal sequencing referrals" cited by 38% of oncology GCs as highest-growth workflow (NSGC 2025)](https://www.tempus.com/oncology/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ACMG 2023/2025 Variant Interpretation Guidelines — five-tier classification with 28 evidence criteria; clinical sign-off on variant classification remains GC/medical geneticist responsibility regardless of AI assistance](https://www.acmg.net/ACMG/Medical-Genetics-Practice-Resources/Practice-Guidelines.aspx), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework; GC shallow seed humanAdvantage=11 is a model artifact; framework underestimates psychosocial counseling component of GC role](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Microsoft Dragon Copilot — ambient clinical documentation; generates structured consultation letter drafts from clinical encounters; GC documentation use cases emerging at academic genetics programs](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/health-solutions/clinical-workflow/dragon-copilot), accessed 2026-06-22
- [Heidi Health — genetics-specific consultation letter templates launched 2025; GCs in smaller practices use for post-session letter generation; reduces per-letter documentation time (Heidi Health press releases 2025)](https://www.heidihealth.com/en-au), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.