Genetic Counselors pay range in San Jose
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $130,200 a year or less, while the top 10% make $176,860 or more. The middle half of genetic counselors in San Jose earn between $136,440 and $175,470.
- $130K10th
- $136K25th
- $166KMedian
- $175K75th
- $177K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $155,940 | $12,995 | $74.97 |
| Median | $165,920 | $13,827 | $79.77 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $136,440 | $11,370 | $65.60 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $175,470 | $14,622 | $84.36 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Genetic Counselors pay in San Jose vs. California and the U.S.
Genetic counselors in San Jose earn 9% more than the California average ($143,090) and 49% more than the U.S. average ($104,620). At the median the gap is +66% against the U.S. median of $100,040.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $155,940 | $165,920 | $130,200 | $176,860 | 80 |
| California | $143,090 | $137,650 | $105,810 | $178,040 | 440 |
| United States | $104,620 | $100,040 | $78,270 | $138,760 | 3,740 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Genetic Counselors salary after taxes in San Jose
On the average salary of $155,940, a single filer in San Jose takes home about $107,441 a year, or $8,953 a month and $4,132 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Jose a good place for genetic counselors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Jose area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 110.4), so the average $155,940 buys what about $141,221 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.0 times the median wage of all jobs in San Jose ($84,050). A typical home costs $1,610,466, or 10.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Genetic Counselors salary in other California cities
San Jose ranks 2nd of 3 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($159,680).
- San Francisco$159,680
- San Jose$155,940
- Los Angeles$126,530
Highest-paying cities for genetic counselors
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($159,680).
- San Francisco, CA$159,680
- San Jose, CA$155,940
- Los Angeles, CA$126,530
- New York, NY$115,310
- Seattle, WA$111,730
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Genetic Counselors salary in San Jose: questions
How much do genetic counselors make an hour in San Jose?
$74.97 an hour on average, and $79.77 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level genetic counselors salary in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $130,200 a year and the 25th percentile is $136,440, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the genetic counselors take-home pay in San Jose?
About $107,441 a year ($8,953 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $155,940. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do genetic counselors earn more in San Jose than elsewhere?
The average here is 49% more than the U.S. average for this job ($104,620).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-9092; area San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (41940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 2.91, this job is 2.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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