Genetic Counselors Salary
The median pay for a genetic counselors in Pennsylvania is $94,930/year ($45.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $121K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $99,958 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 22.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $95K actually covers in Pennsylvania, month by month
About genetic counselors
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Genetic counselors pay in Pennsylvania tracks closely to the national median, $95K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,351/month, 22.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level genetic counselors (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $121K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Genetic Counselors salary by metro in Pennsylvania
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $106K | +12% | 130 |
| Pittsburgh | $99K | +4% | 100 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a genetic counselor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 22.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for genetic counselors in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new genetic counselors typically earn — is $82K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,285/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is genetic counselor a high-paying job in Pennsylvania?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $95K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for genetic counselors?
Pennsylvania pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — below the national median.
How much do genetic counselors make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $94,930 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,790, and experienced genetic counselors can clear $121,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,021/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 22.4% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $99,958 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.