Geneticists
Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.
Also called: Academic Pediatric Geneticist, Behavioral Geneticist, Cardiovascular Geneticist, Clinical Biochemical Geneticist, Clinical Cytogeneticist, Clinical Geneticist
Median pay
$98,920
Pay for the broader BLS group “Biological Scientists, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$60,430 – $168,010
People employed
55,850
Whole BLS group
Holland code
ICR
Investigative · Conventional · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 6.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
Geneticists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Biological Scientists, All Other”.
What geneticists do
- 01Supervise or direct the work of other geneticists, biologists, technicians, or biometricians working on genetics research projects.
- 02Plan or conduct basic genomic and biological research related to areas such as regulation of gene expression, protein interactions, metabolic networks, and nucleic acid or protein complexes.
- 03Prepare results of experimental findings for presentation at professional conferences or in scientific journals.
- 04Maintain laboratory notebooks that record research methods, procedures, and results.
- 05Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds.
- 06Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for genetic research goals.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Biology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from geneticists
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary81% · —
- Biostatisticians79% · group pay
- Bioinformatics Technicians78% · group pay
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary78% · —
- Statisticians78% · —
Change into geneticists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Biostatisticians82% · $105,650
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary81% · $84,620
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary78% · $93,250
- Statisticians78% · $105,650
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary76% · $94,980
Majors that lead here
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
- Photobiology
- Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- Botany/Plant Biology
- Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
- Plant Physiology
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Botany/Plant Biology, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.