Genetic Counselors
Machines can already do 43% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Genetic Counselors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 43% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 1% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 3,740 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $100,040 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 81% for contact with people.
- Also called: Cardiovascular Genetics Counselor, Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC), Clinical Genetic Counselor, Genetic Services Coordinator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians | 14% | 63% to 81% | |
| Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians | 12% | 32% to 52% | |
| Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance | 11% | 22% to 40% | |
| Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions | 11% | 36% to 57% | |
| Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes | 10% | 54% to 76% | |
| Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings | 8% | 64% to 78% | |
| Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data | 7% | 44% to 68% | |
| Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology | 6% | 32% to 50% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills genetic counselors use most, most used first.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Genetic Counselors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of genetic counselors?
Machines can do 43% of the tasks of genetic counselors today and 62% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-9092.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Genetic Counselors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/genetic-counselors/