Genetic Counselors
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
AI Impact Summary
Genetic Counselors faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 31/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 42% of all analyzed occupations. Of 19 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Genetic Counselors skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
19 tasks analyzed
Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.
Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.
Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.
Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes.
Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians. | 56.25Observed | 49.5% | 10% | |
| Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes. | 52.78Observed | 48.1% | 10% | |
| Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 10% | |
| Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance. | 66.67Observed | 41.7% | 10% | |
| Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 8% | |
| Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 7% | |
| Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 6% | |
| Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 5% | |
| Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics. | 50.42Observed | 47.2% | 3% | |
| Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel. | 59.62Observed | 73.1% | 2% | |
| Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis. | 67.1Observed | 41.8% | 3% | |
| Refer patients to specialists or community resources. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% | |
| Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 2% | |
| Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies. | 46.95Observed | 45.8% | 2% | |
| Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services. | 55.27Observed | 49.1% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 31.9%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$98,910
per year
Mean Wage
$102,890
per year
Employment
4K
workers
Wage Range
$78,680 - $137,780
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Physician Assistants
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School Psychologists
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Healthcare Social Workers
30%Median salary: $68,090
Higher risk than 40% of other occupations
Marriage and Family Therapists
30%Median salary: $63,780
Higher risk than 40% of other occupations
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
34%Median salary: $80,330
Higher risk than 60% of other occupations
Sales Managers
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Chief Executives
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General and Operations Managers
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Marketing Managers
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Advertising and Promotions Managers
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Computer and Information Systems Managers
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Genetic Counselors professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change