Genetic counselors assess people's risk for inherited conditions, using DNA testing and family history, and help them understand results and choices. Software helps interpret genetic variants and draft reports, but explaining what a result means to a worried patient or family is the core of the job.
The short answer: more genetic testing means more need for counselors, not fewer. The ILO's 2025 index rates health professionals not elsewhere classified, the closest group, as not exposed, with a score of 0.20. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10 percent growth for genetic counselors from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 300 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed genetic counselors are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified | Not exposed | 0.20 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for genetic counselors, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic counselors | Grow 10% | About 300 |
The BLS says that as advances in genetic research and technology allow more genetic tests to be developed, more genetic counselors will be needed. It projects employment to grow from 4,200 jobs in 2025 to 4,600 in 2035. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Sorting and annotating genetic variants.
- Searching research and variant databases.
- Drafting result letters and visit notes.
- Collecting family history before an appointment.
What stays with genetic counselors
- Risk assessment: putting test results and family history together.
- Counseling: explaining uncertain results and supporting hard decisions.
- Consent and privacy: making sure people understand what testing reveals.
- Checking AI help: variant summaries and generated letters can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
More tests and more data make interpretation and clear communication more valuable, and checking software output is part of that. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace lab technicians?, will AI replace epidemiologists? and will AI replace doctors?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for genetic counselors at $100,040 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: master's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace genetic counselors?
Unlikely on current data. The BLS projects 10 percent growth from 2025 to 2035 as more genetic tests are developed.
Why is demand for genetic counselors growing?
The BLS says advances in genetic research and technology allow more tests to be developed, which means more counselors are needed.
How many openings are expected?
About 300 a year on average over the decade, according to the BLS.
What can AI do for genetic counselors?
Help sort variants, search databases and draft letters. Interpreting results with patients stays with the counselor.