Genetic Counselors Salary
The median pay for a genetic counselors in New Jersey is $117,750/year ($56.61/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $118,532 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,067/month, or 28.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Jersey. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $118K get you in New Jersey?
About genetic counselors
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in New Jersey
New Jersey sits well above the national pay line for genetic counselors, local pay runs about 18% higher than the U.S. median of $100K. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) 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.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level genetic counselors (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $164K or more, a $105K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track genetic counselors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a genetic counselor afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
Yes — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 28.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for genetic counselors in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new genetic counselors typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,540/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 58% 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 New Jersey?
Local pay is 18% above the national median — $118K here vs. $100K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for genetic counselors?
New Jersey pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s +18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do genetic counselors make in New Jersey?
The median is $117,750 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,000, and experienced genetic counselors can clear $164,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,154/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 28.9% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median genetic counselors salary is worth about $118,532 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.