Genetic Counselors pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $84,780 a year or less, while the top 10% make $116,140 or more. The middle half of genetic counselors in Chicago earn between $86,590 and $102,020.
- $85K10th
- $87K25th
- $96KMedian
- $102K75th
- $116K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $96,500 | $8,042 | $46.39 |
| Median | $95,880 | $7,990 | $46.10 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $86,590 | $7,216 | $41.63 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $102,020 | $8,502 | $49.05 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Genetic Counselors pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Genetic counselors in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($96,580) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($104,620). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $100,040.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $96,500 | $95,880 | $84,780 | $116,140 | 80 |
| Illinois | $96,580 | $95,880 | $83,840 | $116,140 | 90 |
| 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 Chicago
On the average salary of $96,500, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $72,082 a year, or $6,007 a month and $2,772 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $73,853 | $6,154 |
| Working in IL | $72,082 | $6,007 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for genetic counselors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $96,500 buys what about $93,151 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 3.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Genetic Counselors salary in nearby metro areas
- Madison, WI$92,030
- Detroit, MI$88,290
- Minneapolis, MN$101,210
- Pittsburgh, PA$95,030
- Washington, DC$107,650
- Atlanta, GA$83,900
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 Chicago: questions
How much do genetic counselors make an hour in Chicago?
$46.39 an hour on average, and $46.10 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level genetic counselors salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $84,780 a year and the 25th percentile is $86,590, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the genetic counselors take-home pay in Chicago?
About $72,082 a year ($6,007 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $96,500.
Do genetic counselors earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% less 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.4%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.71, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.71).
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