Genetic Counselors Salary
The median pay for a genetic counselors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $89,190/year ($42.88/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.49), that's roughly $85,357 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,857/month, about 33.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $89K get you in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Baltimore-Columbia-Towson’s Regional Price Parity (104.49). 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Pay for genetic counselors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $100K. Rent runs $1,857/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.49) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for genetic counselors in metros near Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $106K | $103K |
| Pittsburgh | $99K | $105K |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $100K | $92K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Entry-level genetic counselors (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $25K 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 quarterly. We'll email you when Baltimore-Columbia-Towson numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a genetic counselor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 33.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,857/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for genetic counselors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new genetic counselors typically earn — is $82K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,931/month. At HUD’s $1,857/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $89K here vs. $100K nationally.
How does Baltimore-Columbia-Towson compare to the national average for genetic counselors?
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — below the national median.
How much do genetic counselors make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median is $89,190 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,190, and experienced genetic counselors can clear $106,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,589/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,857/month, which eats 33.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a genetic counselors salary go in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has a Regional Price Parity of 104.49 (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 $85,357 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.