Genetic Counselors Salary
The median pay for a genetic counselors in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is $98,660/year ($47.43/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.06), that's roughly $98,601 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,820/month, or 29.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Where the paycheck goes
What $99K actually covers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, month by month
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell’s Regional Price Parity (100.06). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About genetic counselors
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
Genetic counselors pay in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell tracks closely to the national median, $99K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 1% difference. Rent runs $1,820/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.06) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Entry-level genetic counselors (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K. Top earners bring in $131K or more, a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Genetic Counselors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Genetic Counselors salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $138K | +38% | 440 |
| New Jersey | $118K | +18% | 240 |
| New York | $107K | +7% | 240 |
| Colorado | $106K | +6% | 40 |
| Delaware | $106K | +6% | 40 |
| Washington | $103K | +3% | 100 |
| Arizona | $103K | +3% | 50 |
| Florida | $102K | +2% | 100 |
| Minnesota | $102K | +2% | 160 |
| Connecticut | $102K | +2% | 50 |
| Ohio | $101K | +1% | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $100K | +0% | 40 |
| Virginia | $100K | -0% | 100 |
| Kentucky | $100K | -0% | 50 |
| Texas | $99K | -1% | N/A |
| Utah | $98K | -2% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $97K | -3% | 200 |
| Illinois | $96K | -4% | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $95K | -5% | 230 |
| Tennessee | $94K | -6% | 340 |
| Maryland | $94K | -6% | 50 |
| South Carolina | $94K | -6% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $94K | -6% | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $92K | -8% | 110 |
| Indiana | $90K | -10% | 40 |
| Michigan | $85K | -15% | 80 |
| Missouri | $84K | -16% | 40 |
| Georgia | $83K | -17% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 28 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track genetic counselors salary changes
BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a genetic counselor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $99K, rent takes 30% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,820/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for genetic counselors in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new genetic counselors typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,027/month. At HUD’s $1,820/month FMR, rent would take 60% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is genetic counselor a high-paying job in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $99K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell compare to the national average for genetic counselors?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell pays $99K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.06), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — below the national median.
How much do genetic counselors make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median is $98,660 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,200, and experienced genetic counselors can clear $131,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,069/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,820/month, which eats 30% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a genetic counselors salary go in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell has a Regional Price Parity of 100.06 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median genetic counselors salary is worth about $98,601 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do genetic counselors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.