Genetic Counselors Salary
The median pay for a genetic counselors in Virginia is $99,960/year ($48.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $105,454 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 26.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $100K get you in Virginia?
About genetic counselors
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What this looks like in Virginia
Genetic counselors pay in Virginia tracks closely to the national median, $100K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 0% difference. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level genetic counselors (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K. Top earners bring in $134K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track genetic counselors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a genetic counselor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $100K, rent takes 26.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for genetic counselors in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new genetic counselors typically earn — is $74K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,417/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $100K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for genetic counselors?
Virginia pays $100K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $105K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do genetic counselors make in Virginia?
The median is $99,960 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,610, and experienced genetic counselors can clear $134,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,123/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 26.9% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $105,454 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.